During a congressional hearing on Tuesday, experts warned that up to 2,000 North Koreans who fled Kim Jong Un's harsh regime to China are now on the verge of being deported as the Covid-19 pandemic subsides.
What Happened: The experts urged the international community to pressure Xi Jinping and the United Nations to prevent their repatriation as the defectors, upon return, face severe consequences, including imprisonment or worse.
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Testifying before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, witnesses highlighted the grim situation faced by North Koreans attempting to flee their country. The deteriorating conditions have made it increasingly difficult for Pyongyang nationals to seek employment, escape persecution, or reunite with their families.
"We have good reason to believe that such repatriation is imminent, as North Korea reopens its border following extended closure in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic," said Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), SCMP reported.
"I share this with deep concern."
Why It Matters: As Pyongyang refused to accept foreign vaccines during the COVID-19 crisis, Kim's isolated nation responded to the pandemic by shutting its borders. The isolation has resulted in a backlog of North Koreans detained by China near the border, with Pyongyang refusing to repatriate them due to fears of importing the disease.
Robert R. King, a former U.S. State Department envoy for North Korean human rights issues, testified that over the past 20 years, more than 34,000 fleeing North Koreans have reached South Korea, most after crossing the border into China.
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