Recent reports indicate that the Chinese government has resumed the repatriation of North Korean escapees. As few as 50 to 60 and as many as 100 to 200 of them have reportedly been sent to North Korea. The South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) acknowledged the possibility of the reports, saying, “We have been tracking the possibility of the Chinese authorities forcibly repatriating additional North Korean defectors.” This follows the previous repatriation right after the Hangzhou Asian game in October last year, which involved 500 to 600 of the over 2,000 North Koreans detained during the three-year COVID-19 lockdown. China seems to have resumed the repatriation of North Korean defectors after a brief hiatus.
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not publicly responded to China about this issue, only emphasizing its stance that under no circumstances should North Koreans living abroad be forcibly repatriated against their free will. Seoul finds itself in a challenging position as China resumes repatriating North Koreans while the government seeks Beijing’s participation in upcoming trilateral talks involving South Korea, China, and Japan. Even so, North Korean defectors are constitutionally South Korean citizens whose safety is a significant matter to the government. How will China interpret this silence?
North Koreans are international refugees fleeing starvation. For them, North Korea is a ticket to hell. They are tortured, beaten, and often killed. China is a signatory to the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, yet it continues to send them back. “It is sending people to their deaths. Its claim of being a “civilized country” is merely a facade, as its true nature is uncivilized. A backward state usually does not stop its barbaric behavior when the other party remains silent because it lacks the capacity for self-reflection. Indeed, it’s crucial to continue denouncing China’s inhumane treatment of North Korean defectors and other human rights violations. Despite being a communist dictatorship, China’s status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and its extensive trade relations necessitates a degree of accountability and concern for its reputation on the global stage.
That’s why the South Korean government recommended that China provide adequate protection for North Korean defectors at the UN Human Rights Council at the beginning of this year. It was the first time Seoul spoke up, which marked a significant change from its previous “quiet diplomacy” strategy. In February, the South Korean foreign minister requested cooperation from the Chinese foreign minister to enable North Korean defectors to select their destinations freely, without the threat of forced repatriation. Despite this appeal, China’s response has persisted in repatriating defectors. Given this situation, it is imperative not to remain complacent or silent.
This year’s 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between North Korea and China may be influencing China’s decision to repatriate North Korean defectors, potentially as a gesture of giving a “present” to Kim Jong-un. If so, the rest of the North Koreans could be sent back to Pyongyang one by one. There are reports of as few as a few hundred and as many as 1,000 North Korean refugees remaining in China. We cannot remain silent in the face of the two countries’ injustice deeds.
