[imText1]Last week, DailyNK released an exclusive report that the number of defectors applying for refugee status in the UK after having acquired South Korean citizenship has greatly increased. It is reported that defectors claim they have been hiding in China or Southeast Asian countries in the years since their defection from the North.
These defectors entered the UK as tourists without visas and applied for refugee status. It is estimated that more than two hundred defectors have entered the UK in this way.
Unfortunately, many defectors in the UK are experiencing difficulties. There are those whose refugee applications have been turned down, and those whose refugee status has been granted experience language problems, cultural difficulties and harsh living conditions. Therefore, many wish to come back to the South, and some already have.
▲ Unexpected hardships in the UK
Many defectors with dependent children in the South wish to move to the UK because they cannot afford the high cost of private education, and their children have difficulties adjusting in school. Defectors hold in high regard the UK’s welfare and education system, which supports living and education expenses for the people.
However, the reality betrays their rosy expectations of life in the UK.
36-year-old defector Kim Hee Chul (male) has just returned to the South. Mr. Kim went to the UK with his wife in July, but life in the UK did not turn out as he had expected.
“I realized that defectors were deceived to leave the South,” said Mr. Kim. He claimed that he has met around twenty defectors who entered the UK before him. “About 80 percent of defectors granted refugee status in the UK regrets the decision,” said Kim.
Mr. Kim decided to go back to the South without much hesitation because his parents have a house in the South. However, he cannot afford his way back home. He has already used up about half the amount of housing benefits provided by the South Korean government on traveling expenses to the UK. So far, he has spent around $5,000 on airfare and broker commissions.
Defectors without family in the South have an especially hard time returning to South Korea. In many cases, they entrust their passports and other forms of ID to brokers for safe keeping, but later find the brokers have destroyed their documents.
▲ Not enough subsidies from the UK government
Upon obtaining refugee status, defectors receive a rental house about 66 square meters in size. The UK government also provides defectors with a supplementary living allowance at a maximum of ￡ 41.41 per week until they find a job. However, this amount is not enough to live on in the UK. Moreover, once they find a job, the government discontinues the flow of financial aid.
Most defectors do not speak English and, therefore, find it hard to gain employment. Many end up taking petty jobs in restaurants run by South Koreans living in the UK.
25-year-old Seo Soo Chul (pseudonym) came back to the South even though he successfully obtained refugee status in the UK. Mr. Seo said, “Before I left the South, I thought I would receive a sufficient amount of subsistence allowance and have a chance to learn English. However, I received only enough to pay rent and transportation costs.”
Mr. Seo said, “I know this woman named Lee Mee Yong (24, pseudonym). She left for England six months ahead of me. Later, I met her in New Malden where there lived many Koreans. She was washing the dishes at a Korean restaurant there. ”
▲ Free education for children up to the age of 18. No education benefits for adults
Defector Kim Hee Chul said, “The British government provides free education for children up to 18 years of age. However, there are no education benefits for adults.” Mr. Kim continued, “Students who dropped out of college in South Korea to come to the UK to study English find themselves helpless. They have no place to go and now spend most of their time struggling to earn a living.”
21-year-old Park Min Chul (male), an applicant for refugee status, has one final interview left with the Home Office of the UK. Mr. Park said in a phone interview with DailyNK, “You can live comfortably in England if you can find a job here. Defectors who went back to the South are those who did not want to work. They only depended on government subsidies and had language problems.”
“It is usually old people who do not care to learn English. In contrast, young defectors have no difficulties in receiving education here in the UK because free education is available for them,” Mr. Park maintained (contrary to previous testimonies). “Adult defectors, too, can learn English while working at Korean restaurants.”
▲ Watch out for brokers’ hype
Brokers charge between $2,000 and $5,000 per defector who wants to apply for refugee status. Brokers assist defectors to pass through UK Immigration and Customs and escort them to the Home Office.
Defectors who come back from the UK warn that individuals who wish to go to the UK should not wholeheartedly trust brokers. Brokers say things like, “If you go to England, you’ll get a free home and a free education. You can also receive a subsidy allowance of up to $2,000.”
Of course, this is not the case. Once in the UK, defectors must take care of their own living expenses. For this reason, defectors who came back to the South are hoping to stop other defectors from leaving for the UK.
It is relatively simple for defectors to obtain refugee status in the UK. Upon their arrival, defectors need to pass through Immigration and Customs. Then, they directly proceed to the Home Office to submit their refugee applications. They have to go through three to four stages of the review process and undergo a final interview. The entire process takes approximatly 40 days.
During the review, the Home Office inquires as to the applicants’ experiences living in China or other third countries and how they came to the UK. At the final interview, the Office asks questions mainly about North Korea to see whether the interviewee is a real defector from the North.
During the review period, the Home Office issues to defectors an Immigration and Nationality Directorate card. As long as defectors have this card, they can go about freely. They can use the card as an official form of ID until they receive a refugee certification.
Housing is provided for these asylum seekers at government-run boarding houses in Liverpool and Leeds.
Once they successfully acquire refugee status, defectors can apply for permanent residence in the UK with the help of government-appointed lawyers. This process takes from three months to a maximum of two years. To be able to apply for citizenship, defectors have to wait an additional five years.
