Recent reports have highlighted Beijing's disturbing practice of forcibly repatriating North Korean defectors to their oppressive homeland after detaining them within China's borders. The Korean Unification Solidarity, an organization for North Korean refugees, reported, Thursday, that around 200 North Korean refugees who were apprehended in Jilin, northern China, were forcibly sent back to the North on April 26.
Radio Free America also reported up to 60 North Koreans, who were arrested in China's Tumen and Hunchun regions, suffered a similar fate, along with others in Dandong, a city bordering the North. The media also reported that all the North Koreans were caught attempting to defect to the South.
The National Intelligence Service (NIS) also confirmed the reports, saying, "We have been closely watching the possible additional repatriations of the North Korean refugees by the Chinese authorities." China previously faced international backlash for its decision to repatriate up to 600 North Koreans to their homeland shortly after the Asian Games in Hangzhou. These individuals were among approximately 2,000 defectors who had been detained for about three years due to border closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following global condemnation, China refrained from forcibly deporting them for a while.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has consistently maintained that North Korean refugees "should not be forcibly repatriated against their will under any circumstances." However, the ministry has refrained from issuing an official condemnation of China's recent actions. This reluctance stems from a dilemma faced by the ministry, as the incident occurred while it is preparing for an anticipated summit involving South Korea, China, and Japan scheduled for late May. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida mentioned during a press conference on Saturday that the exact date of the summit has yet to be determined.
The foreign ministry's stance is understandable as the envisaged summit would be the first in five years and would likely provide significant momentum in thawing relations between Seoul and Beijing which deteriorated under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.
However, the plight of North Korean defectors cannot be ignored. The recent repatriation is especially concerning because it will have significant consequences for the individuals involved. The Yoon administration should adopt a more assertive approach and urge China to cease such improper actions.
North Korean defectors are international refugees who fled their impoverished country to escape hunger and dire circumstances. Forcibly repatriating them exposes them to a harrowing situation, leaving them vulnerable to various forms of physical assault, torture, and even death. It is wholly inappropriate for China to disregard the rights of North Koreans, especially considering its status as a member of key U.N. bodies such as the U.N. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the U.N. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
We urge China, as a responsible member of the international community, to discontinue such cruel treatment of North Korean defectors. China is a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and a major trading nation. Considering this, it should pay more attention to improving its global reputation.
The Korean government asked China to take appropriate steps to protect the North Korean refugees during a U.N. Human Rights Commission session early this year. This contrasts with previous administrations, which pursued a policy of "quiet diplomacy" and opted not to raise its voice on the issue.
The Yoon administration should pursue more assertive and decisive approaches in addressing the issue of North Korean defectors. Despite Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul's call to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi to cooperate and allow North Korean defectors to seek refuge without fear of repatriation, China unfortunately disregarded this request. This underscores the urgency for South Korea to actively advocate for the rights and safety of North Korean defectors and to engage in stronger diplomatic efforts to push for meaningful change in China's approach to this critical issue.
Pyongyang and Beijing have been cementing their ties recently, as this year marks the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. Despite such warming ties, the issue of North Korean defectors should be addressed from a humanitarian perspective and China and South Korea should collaborate more to safeguard the human rights of the North Korean refugees.