ID :
211713
Fri, 10/07/2011 - 13:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/211713
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean national may stand trial in China for helping defectors: official
SEOUL, Oct. 7 (Yonhap) -- One of the two South Korean nationals detained by Chinese authorities along with a group of North Korean defectors has been released on parole, while the other will likely be tried in a Chinese court, a ranking official in Seoul said Friday.
The circumstances of the two South Korean nationals, both defectors from the communist North, have grabbed the South Korean public's attention, as Beijing was reportedly moving to repatriate them and a group of around 30 North Koreans arrested in northern China late last month back to the North.
"Of the two South Korean nationals, one has been arrested on charges of masterminding the mass defections of North Koreans and is likely to be indicted," said the official, asking to remain anonymous.
"Depending on the results of the trial, the person could serve a prison term in China. But the other (South Korean) national has been freed on parole after having his passport seized by Chinese authorities."
As for the number of North Korean defectors in Chinese custody, the official said their headcount fell far short of the originally estimated 35.
On Thursday, China told South Korea that it was still investigating the group of alleged North Korean defectors, indicating that Beijing is unlikely to repatriate them anytime soon.
Seoul's foreign ministry sent a team of diplomats to Yenji of northeast China, where the North Korean defectors are detained, according to the ministry.
As North Korea's only major ally, China does not recognize North Korean defectors within its borders as refugees and regularly deports them back to North Korea, where they are said to face severe punishments ranging from torture to public execution.
(END)
The circumstances of the two South Korean nationals, both defectors from the communist North, have grabbed the South Korean public's attention, as Beijing was reportedly moving to repatriate them and a group of around 30 North Koreans arrested in northern China late last month back to the North.
"Of the two South Korean nationals, one has been arrested on charges of masterminding the mass defections of North Koreans and is likely to be indicted," said the official, asking to remain anonymous.
"Depending on the results of the trial, the person could serve a prison term in China. But the other (South Korean) national has been freed on parole after having his passport seized by Chinese authorities."
As for the number of North Korean defectors in Chinese custody, the official said their headcount fell far short of the originally estimated 35.
On Thursday, China told South Korea that it was still investigating the group of alleged North Korean defectors, indicating that Beijing is unlikely to repatriate them anytime soon.
Seoul's foreign ministry sent a team of diplomats to Yenji of northeast China, where the North Korean defectors are detained, according to the ministry.
As North Korea's only major ally, China does not recognize North Korean defectors within its borders as refugees and regularly deports them back to North Korea, where they are said to face severe punishments ranging from torture to public execution.
(END)
