Kim Young-hwan, human rights activist

By Chung Min-uck

Beijing is facing growing criticism for failing to clarify its stance on the alleged torture of Kim Young-hwan, a North Korea human rights activist deported by the Chinese authorities last week after a 114-day detention.

A question on whether or not Seoul is properly dealing with the case involving Kim and three other activists, who were arrested in the northeastern city of Dalian in March, accused of endangering China’s national security.

They were sent to a detention center in Dandong near the border with North Korea where the alleged torture took place. The activists were reportedly helping North Korean refugees in China.

Despite rows over the allegations about physical abuses perpetrated while the activists were detained, Seoul continues to adhere to the position that “relevant facts must be given from the Chinese government” to actively handle the case.

“The presidential office is taking the reports on Kim’s torturing seriously... and we will try our utmost to shed light on the truth,” said Presidential Chief of Staff Ha Geum-yeol, during a parliamentary committee meeting on Monday. “The government will take all actions possible.”

Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan on Friday also said he would press China to conduct a thorough investigation into the case.

However, Beijing has yet to response to Seoul’s request on verifying the incident.

Critics cast skepticism on whether Seoul has been fully active in its attitude toward dealing with China. Concrete actions taken by the government are yet to be found.

“Seoul’s response on the issue is too passive,” said Rep. Ha Tae-kyung, a North Korea activist-turned-lawyer of the ruling Saenuri Party, said during a radio interview on Monday. “It is unlikely Beijing will acknowledge the torturing...if the government stays as it is, to remain silent, it could also give bad influence to the jailed South Koreans in China. It is clear that there will be more of those (torturing).”

The lawmaker also criticized Seoul for taking a low-key stance towards China claiming Seoul is setting aside human rights issue. He said Seoul has been fearing of losing economic benefits in the ongoing Seoul-Beijing free trade agreement (FTA) talks and political interests of resuming the six-party talks involving China’s main ally North Korea.

He earlier shook the public here quoting Kim as saying he was tortured with electric prod while detained in China.

Rep. Ha made new allegations on Monday again citing the words of the high-profile human rights activist.

“For one month, starting from May 29 to April 28, (Chinese Public Security) deprived Kim of sleeping by not letting him lie down. Kim went through the investigation sitting on a chair with handcuffs,” said Rep. Ha.

“They also didn’t let Kim sleep for six days straight.”

Supporters of Kim is considering filing a petition with the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding China’s torturing of Kim, though many suspect it to be impracticable as China is not a member of the ICC and lacks evidence.

Meanwhile, questions are being raised about why Kim himself is hesitating to give specifics about the torturing he suffered during his 114-day detention in China.

Instead, details of the abuse have been revealed through the mouth of his colleagues mainly from Rep. Ha.

Observers assume Kim and three other activists could have been told by the Chinese authority not to mention about the physical abuse in exchange of the release. Some say Kim is worried about North Korean activists in China as they might undergo same ill treatment if he is to turn the incident into an international issue regarding China’s human rights conditions.