White House Calls for China to Release NK Refugee

This is an encouraging development. Can anyone recall the White House getting involved on behalf of a North Korean refugee before this?

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The United States is gravely concerned about China’s treatment of Kim Chun-Hee. Despite U.S., South Korean, and UNHCR attempts to raise this case with the Chinese, Ms. Kim, an asylum seeker in her thirties, was deported to North Korea after being arrested in December for seeking refuge at two Korean schools in China. We are deeply concerned about Ms. Kim’s well-being. The United States notes China’s obligations as a party to the UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, and believes that China must take those obligations seriously. We also call upon the Government of China not to return North Korean asylum seekers without allowing UNHCR access to these vulnerable individuals.

Yonhap has more here, including the fact that Hu Jintao will soon visit Washington. This is a significant step in the right direction.

Thanks to two readers for forwarding.