Clock ticks for China's massive repatriation of North Korean defectors

Activists rally in front of Chinese Embassy in Seoul to protest against China's repatriation of North Korean defectors in this 2012 file photo. The large blue banner in front of the protestors reads, "China urged not to send North Korean defectors back to the North." Korea Times file

Humanitarian crisis looms as April 15 could be a turning point for North Korea's 3-year border closure, experts say

By Kang Hyun-kyung

Many North Korean defectors are believed to be detained in China, according to activists familiar with the situation. The number of North Korean detainees varies, depending on experts, but estimated figures range from 600 to 2,000.

Once North Korea reopens its border with China ― sealed in January 2020 to keep out COVID carriers, Beijing is widely expected to repatriate the North Korean escapees back to the North as the country has done for decades.

If the massive repatriation takes place, a humanitarian crisis will unfold. In the past, North Korean defectors faced human rights violations by the authorities in Pyongyang, including torture, beatings, sexual assaults and hard labor in prison camps.

Citing sources, Seo Jae-pyeong, president of the Seoul-based non-profit group, Association for North Korean Defectors, said that about 1,000 North Korean escapees are said to be imprisoned in China.

"They are defectors who crossed the border into China and were caught by the Chinese authorities as they are deemed illegal aliens," he told The Korea Times on Monday.

Seo, also a North Korean defector, said the number of North Koreans currently held in Chinese prisons is a three-year estimate based on a yearly migration trend of 200 to 300 North Koreans crossing the China-North Korea border seeking better lives.

The number of North Korean detainees continues to rise, as China has been unable to return them for three years due to the COVID-driven border closure.

Activists present different estimates of the number of North Korean defectors detained in China.

Seo said he personally believes the actual number of North Korean detainees in China would be lower than 1,000 as some activists claim.

"I think the figure was a little bit inflated and it would be around 600 or so," he said, claiming that his number is based on information he heard from those with access to information, such as brokers in China and North Korea.

Some others, however, claim the number of North Koreans held in China could be much higher than that.

Elizabeth Salmon, the United Nations special rapporteur on the situation of North Korea, said the number could be 2,000.

"I received information that as many as 2,000 North Korean escapees are currently detained in China and some other escapees are held at the North Korean consulates in other countries, facing the risk of repatriation," she said during a video speech to the 18th General Meeting of the International Parliamentarians' Coalition for North Korean Refugees and Human Rights held on Sept. 15, 2022, in Washington D.C.

An Chan-il, a North Korean defector, said an estimated figure of 2,000 would be the total number of North Koreans imprisoned in China, meaning that it includes criminals, such as drug dealers caught by the Chinese authorities for violating Chinese laws, rather than the pure number of undocumented North Koreans who were detained in Chinese prisons.

Therefore, when and if North Korea lifts the border closure, the actual number of repatriates would be less than 2,000, he said.

But Seo said the detainee figure is not an issue. What really matters is that at least hundreds of people will face repatriation en masse, which will lead to their brutal treatments in the North, he added.

"Imagine what will happen if China sends them back to the North. It will be a disaster," he said.

Citizens hold banners during a protest against China's repatriation of North Korean defectors in this 2012 file photo. Korea Times file

The Chinese Embassy in Seoul said it has no official data on how many North Korean defectors are imprisoned in China.

"We cannot confirm whether the number of North Korean detainees suggested by foreign agencies or groups is true or not," an official at the embassy told The Korea Times on condition of anonymity.

For decades, China has repatriated undocumented North Koreans to the North, seeing them as illegal aliens who crossed the border illegally for economic reasons.

China has drawn international condemnation for its repatriations. North Koreans, who managed to escape their country again after being sent back to the North, have testified about the appalling human rights violations they suffered. After Kim Jong-un succeeded his father as leader of the North in 2012, he imposed strict border controls to prevent residents from escaping from the reclusive state.

The clock is ticking for China's repatriation of North Korean defectors en masse as North Korea appears set to reopen its border with China.

Citing sources, Japanese media outlets reported, Monday, that the new Chinese Ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun arrived in the North, 15 months after his predecessor Li Jinjun left the country for a new position. Wang is believed to be the first foreign diplomat to arrive in North Korea since the country closed its border.

It remains uncertain whether North Korea's acceptance of the new Chinese envoy signals that its strict border closure will be eased any time soon.

Cheong Seong-chang, the director of the Center for North Korean Studies at Sejong Institute, said North Korea may gradually lift the border closure after April 15, the birthday of North Korea's founder Kim Il-sung, the grandfather of the current leader.

"To my knowledge, North Korea initially planned to allow its workers in China to return home on Feb. 16 which is the birthday of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il," he said.

Before the pandemic, North Korea had sent its nationals overseas to earn hard cash to finance its nuclear and missile programs and the regime's survival. China and Russia are two popular destinations for North Korean workers. Tens of thousands of North Korean nationals are believed to be working in China and they have not been allowed to return home since the COVID-19 pandemic.

"If the North had to reschedule the date of their arrivals due to crop shortages or other reasons, it will probably try it again after April 15," said Cheong. "Once the North Korean workers return home, the North will partially reopen its border to visitors and will selectively allow foreigners to enter the country."

An said North Korea's border could reopen soon.

"Currently there are various signs that show that North Korea is trying to resume trade with China. So I guess the border closure to foreigners and visitors from China may be lifted after April 15," he said.

Seo concurred with other experts that April 15 could be the starting point from when the North can consider allowing visitors from China to enter. But he added that he could not rule out the possibility that North Korea delays reopening its border until June.

A North Korean flag flies on a mast at the Permanent Mission of North Korea in Geneva in this 2014 file photo. Reuters-Yonhap