Twenty-nine North Korean Defectors May Enter Korea

Twenty-nine North Korean Defectors May Enter Korea. September. 02, 2004 21:59. by Hun-Joo Cho hanscho@donga.com.

It was reported by the Japanese news agencies on September 2 that all 29 North Korean defectors who entered a Japanese school in Beijing, China want to go to Korea.

Deputy Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hoso, said at a press conference, “We must listen to everyone’s definite intentions and make arrangements,” and added, “As there have been examples (related to the treatment of North Korean defectors) in the past, Japan has developed a general outline, and we will handle it from a humanitarian point of view.”

Related to the North Korean defectors’ identities, Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Ichiro Aisawa said, “There are children as well as adults. There are married couples, brothers, fathers and sons,” displaying that there has been much progress in identifying the defectors.

An official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “This problem should be handled ‘low key’ (quietly and out of sight),” and also, “Korea, China and Japan will not make a racket out of it,” showing that they wish to settle the problem at a practical level between the associated countries.

The Japanese press praised the government with its administration of the situation, saying, “The government dealt with the situation in close connection with the Chinese government from the start to avert the confusion they suffered in 2002 when the Japanese consulate in Shenyang was penetrated.”

Even the Japanese press reported the progress of the North Korean defectors briefly, in contrast from past tendencies, manifesting their refraining from “badmouthing North Korea” related to Japanese kidnappings.

However, related to the defectors’ date of departure, Vice Foreign Minister Aisawa said, “It will take considerable time because there are quite a few people.”

The Japanese consulate in Beijing is preparing in case the situation goes on for longer than expected.