ICC Expresses Concern Over Repatriation of North Korean Refugees
A Christian human rights organization has expressed deep concern over China’s practice of repatriating North Korean refugees back to North Korea, where they often face brutal treatment and even execution.
A Christian human rights organization has expressed deep concern over China’s practice of repatriating North Korean refugees back to North Korea, where they often face brutal treatment and even execution. In particular, Washington, D.C.-based International Christian Concern (ICC) was concerned by the recent news of Park Yong-chol who has been forcibly repatriated to North Korea.
“We have been extremely concerned for [Park’s] welfare, as he had expressed his absolute terror at the approach of his release date, describing his potential repatriation as a death sentence,” ICC said in a Jan. 12 statement. “The policies and practices of North Korea sadly support his assessment.”
Park (also known as Jo Yong-su) was arrested on Jan. 18, 2003 in relation to a well-publicized attempted escape by North Koreans by boat. On May 22, 2003, a court in Yantai, Shandong Province sentenced Park to two years imprisonment and fined him 5,000 RMB for his part in implementing the planned escape.
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Although he was due to be released from Weifang Prison in Shandong Province this month, Park was secretly repatriated in October 2004, the persecution group reported. The repatriation was uncovered on Dec. 12 when Kim Bong-soon, the wife of his fellow inmate Choi Yong-huh, visited the prison.
According to ICC, Choi Yong-hun had repeatedly appealed for intervention on behalf of Mr. Park. “Even before the repatriation, he had said that the thought of Mr. Park’s repatriation tormented him so badly that he him sometimes contemplated suicide,” group reported.
“It is shocking that China would return Mr. Park to such an evidently dangerous fate, despite international appeals,” ICC stated. “We are deeply saddened to think of the treatment he would receive in North Korea.”
With more political and religious prisoners than any other country in the world, North Korea is considered one of the worst offenders of religious liberty.
ICC has requesting for the Christian community to raise concern for Park’s welfare with North Korean authorities, and communicate deep concern to Chinese authorities.
To learn how to contact the Chinese Embassy, visit www.persecution.org.
