`We Never Repatriated NK Defectors
By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter
The top Thai envoy in Seoul refuted concerns over the possible repatriation of some 400 North Korean defectors who went on a hunger to protest the long time it took to process their going to South Korea late in April.
``We never sent a single North Korean defector to North Korea so far,'' Thai Ambassador Vasin Teeravechyan told The Korea Times. ``The relevant Thai government agencies involved have always been in very close contact with consistent cooperation toward finding the most appropriate and humanitarian solution to the issue.''
The 59-year-old career diplomat said the reason why the most of the defectors are still in the center is that it requires a very complicated process involving not only Thailand and Korea but also the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to send them to the south.
Furthermore, the increase in the North Korean illegal migrants who enter Thailand makes things much more difficult, according to him.
``Before last year, we had about 400 North Korean defectors per year but last year we had 700. It's almost 50 percent increase,'' he said. ``So it's a big burden for our country. With more North Koreans coming in, we have to pay more money of our people for them.''
The sudden increase has something to do with Thailand's relatively generous treatment of North Korean defectors compared with its neighbors, including Myanmar, which recently resumed diplomatic relations with North Korea. Usually, on entering the border, the defectors turn themselves over to the Thai police and undergo a verification process by both the Korean and Thai governments.
``They are basically illegal migrants and a sharp increase in the number of them poses a serious threat to our security, especially in the view of the unpredictable situation on the Korean Peninsula,'' he said. ``This is our dilemma.''
Against this backdrop, the ambassador explained that his country helps North Korean defectors in a very ``silent and cautious'' way. If Thailand officially declares to protect and send them to South Korea, so many North Koreans will likely come to Thailand, which will add another problem.
``During the past years, many NGOs came to the embassy to protest about the North Korean defectors,'' he said. ``But we can say nothing though we want to say `no problem' to them. We do silently as Thailand never sent them back to North Korea.''
Actually, Korea and Thailand have been helping each other for some time now. When the deadly tsunami hit Thailand, the ambassador witnessed Koreans' active aid activities, and Thailand sent troops to the peninsula to fight for South Korea in the 1950-53 Korean War.
``Thailand dispatched 11,786 soldiers of whom 134 lost their lives in the war,'' he said. ``We plan to build a monument to remember them next year when we will mark the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.''
Regarding the anniversary, Teeravechyan said that there will be many events throughout the year including joint issuances of stamps, musical performances, exhibitions, film screening, seminars, etc.
He expected more people from each country to the other thanks to the anniversary events next year. Actually, Koreans are the third largest group of tourists to Thailand after Malaysia and Japan. The numbers of visitors from Korea to Thailand increased from about 700,000 in 2003 to 900,000 in 2005, and 1,100,000 in 2006, according to him.
Last but not least, he said that he had been asked to recommend good Thai restaurants in Korea since his arrival in Seoul in March 2004, but it was hard because his acknowledgement could be commercially considered.
But next month, the Thai government will officially give certification to qualified Thai restaurants in Korea, which will help the ambassador answer the question.
``As part of the government's effort named `Thai Kitchen of the World,' the `Thai Select Certification' program has been devised,'' Teeravechyan said. ``It is to certify Thai restaurants overseas by the Thai authorities, helping diners select restaurants recognized by them for the quality and authenticity of their cuisine.''