SOUTH KOREA: Activists hold a rally against a forced repatriation of North Korean defectors, while urging the South's government to guarantee their life and security

Record ID: 213983

  • Title: SOUTH KOREA: Activists hold a rally against a forced repatriation of North Korean defectors, while urging the South's government to guarantee their life and security
  • Date: 4th June 2013
  • Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (JUNE 4, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS SOUTH KOREAN PROTESTERS CHANTING SLOGANS AND HOLDING PLACARDS UP AND DOWN PLACARD READING IN KOREAN SAYING: "STOP FORCED REPATRIATION, IMPROVE NORTH KOREAN HUMAN RIGHTS" VARIOUS OF PROTEST IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SOUTH KOREAN PROTESTER, PARK CHANG-DAL SAYING: "We are here today to urge our government to assure life and security of nine young people who had defected at the risk of their life, through its diplomatic efforts." MORE OF PROTEST IN PROGRESS VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS CHANTING PROTEST IN PROGRESS
  • Embargoed: 19th June 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Korea, Republic of
  • Country: South Korea
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA7U8TCD9X6V0ZKH05KMSNRERSA
  • Story Text: South Korean activists held a rally on Tuesday (June 4) against the forced repatriation of nine North Korean defectors, while urging their government to guarantee the defectors lives and security.
    About 100 activists gathered in central Seoul and chanted slogans against the repatriation while holding up placards.

    "We are here today to urge our government to assure life and security of nine young people, who had defected at the risk of their life, through its diplomatic efforts," said a protest leader Park Chang-dal.
    On Monday (June 3) China warned the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees against making "irresponsible remarks" about nine North Korean defectors the U.N. believes were repatriated to their isolated, authoritarian homeland by China last week.
    The United Nations said on Friday (May 31) that it was concerned about China's return of the nine young people to North Korea where they face severe punishment, possibly execution, for having fled.
    The nine, all believed to be orphans, were first sent back to China after crossing into Laos. The office of the UNHCR said last week it was seeking clarification from both China and Laos.
    On Monday (June 3), China said the defectors returned to North Korea on May 28 but it denied Pyongyang had sought to have them returned.
    Hundreds of North Koreans attempt to flee their country every year, often first crossing into China and then making their way to Southeast Asia where many end up at a reception centre in Bangkok from which they are flown to South Korea.
    It is a highly risky trip of more than 5,000 km. In China, they must avoid North Korean agents, a network of informants and police. Many are repatriated from China and sent back to labour camps where they face possible starvation. Some have been executed.
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