It has been reported that Chinese authorities recently forcibly repatriated about 20 North Korean defectors to North Korea again, following earlier this month. It was confirmed that among these were families of North Korean defectors who had settled in South Korea.
According to NK Times on the 29th, a resident source in Jilin Province, China, about 20 North Korean defectors who were detained in Baeksan City Public Security Prison were forcibly repatriated to North Korea through Changbai Customs between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the 26th. The residents repatriated to North Korea this time were taken in groups of five, with their arms and wrists tied to ropes in succession, and it was reported that this included family members of North Korean defectors in Korea.
In relation to this, Radio Free Asia reported last October that the families of North Korean defectors who had settled in South Korea were arrested by Chinese police and were at risk of being repatriated to North Korea.
The source said, “As criticism from the international community, including the United States, is pouring in on the issue of repatriating North Korean defectors to North Korea, starting this year, repatriation is being done in small groups with a small number of people.” “It was secretly passed on with awareness of public opinion,” he explained.
The source added, “Although we are conscious of the public opinion of the international community, our intention to repatriate North Korean defectors to North Korea has not changed. It appears that the remaining victims will also be sent to North Korea in the same manner as this time.”
***This article was translated by Google, so the content may differ from the Korean article.