Why so many North Koreans need to reach third countries to defect



Evergreen Why so many North Koreans need to reach third countries to defect South Korea must press China more to stop refoulement, experts say Rose Kwak January 16, 2018 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON CPC_2470 1 by nknews_hq on 2017-02-03 17:39:42 A total of 31,093 North Korean defectors have made it to South Korea since 1998, and every year about a thousand more arrive. The majority travel an estimated 3000 miles across China to reach third countries such as Thailand, Laos, or Mongolia before flying to South Korea. This route may seem strangely roundabout. After all, there is an ROK consulate in Shenyang, China, not far from the North Korean border, as well as an embassy in Beijing. What is to stop a North Korean from simply entering a South Korean embassy or consulate in China and claiming asylum? A total of 31,093 North Korean defectors have made it to South Korea since 1998, and every year about a thousand more arrive. The majority travel an estimated 3000 miles across China to reach third countries such as Thailand, Laos, or Mongolia before flying to South Korea. This route may seem strangely roundabout. After all, there is an ROK consulate in Shenyang, China, not far from the North Korean border, as well as an embassy in Beijing. What is to stop a North Korean from simply entering a South Korean embassy or consulate in China and claiming asylum? Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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Why so many North Koreans need to reach third countries to defect

South Korea must press China more to stop refoulement, experts say

Rose Kwak January 16, 2018

Why so many North Koreans need to reach third countries to defect

CPC_2470 1 by nknews_hq on 2017-02-03 17:39:42

A total of 31,093 North Korean defectors have made it to South Korea since 1998, and every year about a thousand more arrive. The majority travel an estimated 3000 miles across China to reach third countries such as Thailand, Laos, or Mongolia before flying to South Korea.

This route may seem strangely roundabout. After all, there is an ROK consulate in Shenyang, China, not far from the North Korean border, as well as an embassy in Beijing. What is to stop a North Korean from simply entering a South Korean embassy or consulate in China and claiming asylum?

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Why so many North Koreans need to reach third countries to defect

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