SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea voiced its concerns to China on Friday regarding the recent repatriation of a significant number of North Koreans, including escapees, back to their homeland. The South Korean Unification Ministry, responsible for inter-Korean affairs, conveyed its apprehensions after assessing the situation.
Koo Byoungsam, the spokesperson for South Korea’s Unification Ministry, stated that Seoul did not possess precise information about the number of North Koreans repatriated from northeast China or the breakdown of escapees, medical patients, or criminals among them.
This disclosure comes in the wake of media reports, sourced from activists, asserting that China had recently returned hundreds of North Korean escapees to their home country, where they could potentially face persecution and harsh treatment.
Koo emphasized, It appears to be true that a large number of North Koreans were repatriated to North Korea from China’s three northeastern provinces, and reiterated the South Korean government’s position that North Koreans living abroad should not be forcibly repatriated against their will.
Read Also: China Seeks Coordination with Arab League to Restore Middle East Peace Process
Seoul has firmly communicated its concerns to China regarding the repatriations, although the specific means of communication were not detailed by Koo.
Human rights activists had previously warned that Chinese repatriations of North Korean escapees might increase as North Korea gradually reopens its borders after an extended COVID-19 shutdown. Some activist groups estimate that the number of North Koreans labelled as “illegal immigrants” in China could exceed 2,000.
When questioned about the alleged repatriations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin neither confirmed nor denied the reports. However, Wang stated that Beijing was handling North Koreans who had illegally entered the country in compliance with relevant domestic laws, international law, and humanitarian principles.
According to an activist account cited by Human Rights Watch in a report, China utilized several vehicle convoys this week to forcibly return over 500 individuals who had escaped North Korea. The group expressed concerns about the majority of returnees being women and their potential grave risk of detention in forced labour camps, as well as the possibility of facing torture and other forms of violence.
