[Editorial] Substantial Measures Needed on `Domino Defection from North`

The twenty five North Korean defectors who are scheduled to reach Seoul today have left a big task for government, as similar things can happen again.

To arrange substantial measures for North Korean defectors in China is becoming imminent, apart from the earlier way of government in handling such `planned exiles`, as if happening just once.

Meanwhile government has been laying stress on `calm diplomacy` to deal with North Korean defectors in China.

Though we understand such background, its limitations are becoming obvious.

It is a fact that government was not willing to involve in these matters aggressively until it became a big issue like this time.

However, while government was consistently dealing with this matter with bystander`s attitude, the trouble of North Korean defectors in China has become so severe that we can`t avoid it anymore.

To persuade China to admit North Korean defectors as refugees according to international law is the ultimate goal of government diplomacy.

By the way, it is urgent to look for measures to secure at least safety for them, right now.

As China cares for human rights matter in compatible to their changed perception in global stage, if government makes an effort with international organizations and NGOs, there will be some achievement, I presume.

In concrete, government should try to grasp the scale and situation of North Korean defectors in China.

Government can think of measures to reinforce negotiations with civil groups, which supports like providing asylum.

To form council at North East Asia level for the sake of the matter of North Korean defectors would be needed.

Above all else, the trend of large-scale arrest of North Korean defectors that is happening in China is a cause of big concern.

As China government stated that they disposed twenty five North Korean defectors on `humane` grounds, I would like to emphasize that it is a bigger humane treatment to tolerate North Korean defectors in China, in order not to repatriate them to North Korea.