ID :
186826
Tue, 06/07/2011 - 06:01
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/186826
The shortlink copeid
GNP floor leader urges China to treat N. Korean defectors as South Korean citizens
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL (Yonhap) - The floor leader of South Korea's ruling party called on China on Tuesday to recognize North Korean refugees in the country as South Korean citizens and stop sending them back to their communist homeland.
"It is not that North Korean defectors become stateless upon crossing the border (into China). They are undeniable citizens of the Republic of Korea," Rep. Hwang Woo-yea of the Grand National Party (GNP) said in a radio address, referring to South Korea's official name.
China should not "forcibly repatriate defectors to North Korea or turn a blind eye to grave human rights violations happening in China," he said.
Beijing, which considers North Korean refugees to be economic migrants, has often come under international criticism for repatriating defectors despite concern that they could face harsh punishment and even execution. North Korean refugees hiding in China have also been subject to serious human rights violations.
Hwang also called for quick passage of a pending bill calling for North Korean human rights
"We have to show our clear willingness to improve human rights of North Koreans by unanimously passing (the rights acts) with bipartisan consent," the four-term lawmaker said.
The bill, which was designed to help improve North Korea's dismal human rights situation, has been pending in the National Assembly since early last year amid opposition objections over concern that it could further sour inter-Korean relations.
Hwang also urged the government to set aside funds to cover the massive cost of potential unification with North Korea to minimize impact on the economy.
Experts have estimated it could cost Seoul more than US$1 trillion to unify with the impoverished North. The Koreas remain technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty.
SEOUL (Yonhap) - The floor leader of South Korea's ruling party called on China on Tuesday to recognize North Korean refugees in the country as South Korean citizens and stop sending them back to their communist homeland.
"It is not that North Korean defectors become stateless upon crossing the border (into China). They are undeniable citizens of the Republic of Korea," Rep. Hwang Woo-yea of the Grand National Party (GNP) said in a radio address, referring to South Korea's official name.
China should not "forcibly repatriate defectors to North Korea or turn a blind eye to grave human rights violations happening in China," he said.
Beijing, which considers North Korean refugees to be economic migrants, has often come under international criticism for repatriating defectors despite concern that they could face harsh punishment and even execution. North Korean refugees hiding in China have also been subject to serious human rights violations.
Hwang also called for quick passage of a pending bill calling for North Korean human rights
"We have to show our clear willingness to improve human rights of North Koreans by unanimously passing (the rights acts) with bipartisan consent," the four-term lawmaker said.
The bill, which was designed to help improve North Korea's dismal human rights situation, has been pending in the National Assembly since early last year amid opposition objections over concern that it could further sour inter-Korean relations.
Hwang also urged the government to set aside funds to cover the massive cost of potential unification with North Korea to minimize impact on the economy.
Experts have estimated it could cost Seoul more than US$1 trillion to unify with the impoverished North. The Koreas remain technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty.
