China snubs calls to stop repatriation

This is the third in a series of articles highlighting China’s repatriation of North Korean defectors and the ordeal they have to go through after they are repatriated to their homeland. — ED.

By Kang Hyun-kyung

International pressure on China has been mounting as its repatriation of North Korean defectors places them in danger.

Nonetheless, a North Korea watcher said Friday he sees little possibility that international calls will prompt the rising power to rethink its policy in the foreseeable future.

An Chan-il, director of a Seoul-based non-profit research institute on North Korean human rights, said Pyongyang is poised to emulate a Beijing-style reform.

An, a North Korean defector and political scientist, said Sino-North Korea ties, which are closer than ever before, will make it difficult for China to consider changing its stance.

“I was told that since last year North Korea has prepared to open up its economy to the outside world, including economic reforms,” An said, quoting an unconfirmed source. “Last year, China and North Korea had high-level contacts. But this year, working-level contacts are underway. I understand that approximately 1,000 mid-career North Korean officials are now in China to learn about their ally’s successful transition.”

Beijing and Pyongyang have a shared interest in keeping a tight grip on North Korean refugees. China feels pressure as an increasing number of North Koreans have crossed the border to enter the country in search of food and freedom. Its repatriation of these North Koreans has drawn international condemnation.

Defectors also pose a threat to the North Korean regime.

“If the North opens up the economy while the refugee issue remains uncontrolled, refugees will be a policy headache for the two sides. Some predict a third of its population might leave North Korea if the Stalinist state opens up its economy,” An said.

China has called on North Korea to move toward economic reform and therefore it will try to help Pyongyang have a smooth transition if it does so, he said.

Several North Korean defectors, who have insight into the North’s ruling class, echoed the view, saying Kim Jong-un will lead the reclusive nation to a China-style reform.

Before his death, former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il visited China three times from 2010 to 2011. Given that he traveled to his closest ally only nine times during his entire life, his visits to China three times during a one-year period bear significance.

An took the trips as indicating that the “Hermit Kingdom” was gearing up for economic reform.

Double standards on refugees

Despite the international call to stop repatriating North Korean defectors, China has shown no signs of changing its policy. This week, the Chinese foreign ministry reiterated that North Korean defectors who are in China are criminals who illegally crossed the border for economic reasons.

It refused to recognize them as refugees. If China does, they are not supposed to be expelled or returned to their home country where their lives would be threatened. China is a member of the U.N. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

China’s double standards on North Korean refugees have ignited international condemnation.

Kevin Cawley, director of the Irish Institute of Korean Studies at University College Cork in Ireland, criticized China for its repatriation policy.

“These people risked their lives in search of a better life, but they also left North Korea because they had hope,” he said. “With the repatriation of North Korean refugees by Chinese officials, this hope has been dashed for many people in the North.’’

On Thursday, Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the ruling Saenuri Party sent a letter to foreign ambassadors based in Seoul, calling for their support in applying pressure on Beijing not to repatriate North Korean defectors.

“The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees recognized North Korean defectors as refugees. Although China joined the U.N. convention on refugees as a member in 1982, it refuses to recognize North Koreans, who left their home country for freedom and food as refugees,” Yoon said.

More than 160,000 people from nearly 100 countries have signed up for an online petition to help North Korean defectors held in China as of Friday.