North Korean Refugees View Thailand As "paradise"

[Jingthing]

I just became aware that there is a modern day "underground railroad" (not literally a railroad) of North Korean refugees going to Thailand by way of China/Laos/Burma

http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/200...260112197161665

While their life isn't actually a paradise in Thailand and they are subject to arrest for immigration violations, they are mostly looking to use Thailand as a base to finally go to South Korea or the USA, it is heartening that Thailand offers them a beacon of hope, and unlike China, does not deport them back to prison and/or death in North Korea.

This is actually a positive story for Thailand but it is interesting that they don't seem to want to publicize this situation because that would encourage even more refugees, so that isn't so positive.

Edited July 1, 2009 by Jingthing

[gpdjohn]

I would think anywhere would be better than NK.

I would even choose NYC, and that's getting desperate!

[Jingthing]

Here is the story of a true life hero who worked on the underground railroad to Thailand at the China border:

Publishers Weekly

Kim chronicles his effort to lead North Korean refugees through the 6,000-mile underground railway through China in this exposé of the astonishing day-to-day realities of famine, religious oppression, torture and sexual abuse in the most secretive and impoverished member of the axis of evil. The author, a former missionary, spent four years at the China–North Korea border building shelters and orphanages, and his access to government officials, journalists, aid workers and hundreds of North Korean refugees provide him a unique vantage point from which to synthesize current research and policy on conditions in North Korea with affecting real-life testimonials. His intrepid effort to help four North Korean teenagers avoid arrest and repatriation on the journey from northern China to the British consulate in Shanghai is riveting, as is his insider knowledge of the perilous route refugees navigate across the borders of China, Laos and Thailand. The author's compassion and astonishing ability to penetrate the Hermit Kingdom and lift its shroud of secrecy do much to ameliorate the book's chief flaws, the clunky prose and occasionally amateurish conjecture and derivative political analysis. (Aug.)

Escaping North Korea: Defiance and Hope in the World's Most Repressive Country by Mike Kim

OK, that axis of evil rhetoric is dated and embarrassing, but you get the point ...

And some more with photos: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/02/...rea/oneill-text

Edited July 1, 2009 by Jingthing

[Scott]

I would guess that it's a major hassle putting them on a flight to N.K.

[Jingthing]

I am curious about the Koreans who become residents in Thailand. How many from the south vs. the north, and how many with legal visas vs. no visas.

[Jingthing]

I would guess that it's a major hassle putting them on a flight to N.K.

That's a cynical observation but oh well, whatever works. I imagine international pressure from western allies is also a factor, (it would be very bad PR to deport them to NK) but you also have to consider Thailand is a good friend of China, so whatever the reason, I give them credit for not caving in to China.

Edited July 1, 2009 by Jingthing

[jackdanielsesq]

I am from California and consider Thailand heaven.

I guess its all relative. Godspeed to all.

BR>Jack

[cpofc]

Great Stuff. Triumph of the human spirit.

Thailand has pretty good relations with Sth Korea (and the USA) so it comes as no surprise to me the Thais accept them - Besides THAI - LAND is the Land of the free, is it not? To do otherwise would go against everything they believe in and leave them open to even more ridicule and criticism.

Maybe the Rohingyas and Karens will get a better deal at some time in the future.

Korean Companies in Thailand are active in many sectors mainly in manufacturing and travel related businesses. Korean manufacturers have set up factories producing a wide range of goods from plastics to electronics. Korean Tour companies in Bangkok cater for inbound tourists from Korea as well as outbound Thai and onward bound tourists and business travellers heading for Seoul and other destinations in Korea.

[TheLaughingMan]

Excellent.

However I need to point out that Thailand sends Laos people back to their deaths so they aint all heart ya know.

[Explorer]

Excellent.

However I need to point out that Thailand sends Laos people back to their deaths so they aint all heart ya know.

A few months back, reports saying Thai officials were sending the stateless Hmongs back to Laos. This were despite various reports by the Hmongs that the Laos soldiers were hunting them and would kill them if they were found in Laos.

Explorer

[Texpat]

Laoatians are buffaloes.

North Koreans are baby pandas.

(checking quickly to see if my heart has been warmed by this thread)

Nope.

Edited July 1, 2009 by Texpat

[oldsparrow]

Excellent. However I need to point out that Thailand sends Laos people back to their deaths so they aint all heart ya know.

A few months back, reports saying Thai officials were sending the stateless Hmongs back to Laos. This were despite various reports by the Hmongs that the Laos soldiers were hunting them and would kill them if they were found in Laos. Explorer

If the Hmongs did fight for the CIA it may be different. I persnally hope they can live happily in Minnesota.

[Briggsy]

Why go to all the expense of flying them back to North Korea when you can make money selling them and their safe passage to South Korean refugee assistance charities?

[Soulwy]

A deep bow to Thailand for not sending the North Koreans back. They are better of than in China.

[Buchholz]

S. Korea charges N. Korean spy posing as refugee

SEOUL: South Korean prosecutors Thursday charged a North Korean spy who was arrested after entering the country posing as a refugee, a report said.

The 47-year-old surnamed Kim arrived in June last year with 14 genuine refugees but was arrested last November after his real identity was revealed during questioning, Yonhap news agency said.

Kim had crossed the Tumen River into China and travelled on to Thailand with the others before coming to the South, it said. Prosecutors could not be reached for comment on the report.

Read More:

http://www.channelne...1174918/1/.html

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-01-05

[samran]

This journey has been well publicised for years and every year CNN or BBC will inevitably do a story on it.

Given the schizophrenic approach Thailand has to the treatment of refugees, Thailand is the first country on the route which basically guarantees that they will not deport NK asylum seekers back to NK. I suspect this has a lot to do with South Korea's approach of resettling NK citizens in SK promptly.

Edited January 9, 2012 by samran

[thehelmsman]

JT..............

Not sure why it's assumed the USA is the destination for all refugees. Perhaps Holland could use a new Korean BBQ restaraunt.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I would think anywhere would be better than NK.

I would even choose NYC, and that's getting desperate!

Not so sure about that one. I know I would look forward more to a trip to NK than to just about any major US East Coast city.

Edited January 9, 2012 by WinnieTheKhwai

[Jigger]

I would guess that it's a major hassle putting them on a flight to N.K.

That's a cynical observation but oh well, whatever works. I imagine international pressure from western allies is also a factor, (it would be very bad PR to deport them to NK) but you also have to consider Thailand is a good friend of China, so whatever the reason, I give them credit for not caving in to China.

Its important to note that China boarders North Korea - if the North Korean Regim feel, China would be flooded with refugee's (as would South Korea). This is why China continues to 'help' North Korea with defectors, as it is also why South Korea does not push harder for the regime to fall.

Thank about what happened when the Berlin Wall fell and the Berlin Wall feel and economic problems faced at that time. The fall of North Korea would result in that times 100. I obviously dont agree with what China does 1 bit, but that is a major reason why they do it.

I Highly recommend people download or buy Seoul Train - a 2006 doco specifically on the under ground rail round - very heart breaking stuff. Crossing Heavens Border and Undercover In The Secret State are also very interesting.

A doco called Crossing The Line is well worth a watch - it follows the life of a few Americans who defected to North Korea - the last living in North Korea is heavily featured.

[Jingthing]

JT..............

Not sure why it's assumed the USA is the destination for all refugees. Perhaps Holland could use a new Korean BBQ restaraunt.

Well that link is dead so I don't remember what it said but it's a Voice of America link which of course an overseas targeted news/propaganda media. I can say the USA is a fantastically close friend to South Korea and thatthere are a number of huge Korean communities in the US which of course would be a great comfort for Korean only speaking refugees. Edited January 9, 2012 by Jingthing

[sparebox2]

Why should Thai people take pity on them?

Norh Korean don't contribute to the Thai tourist industry much.

[Jingthing]

Why should Thai people take pity on them?

Norh Korean don't contribute to the Thai tourist industry much.

Was the facetious?

Anyway, of course North Korean refugees are victims of one of the most horrendous dictatorships in modern history that has resulted in the needless deaths of millions of people. How about compassion?

Edited January 9, 2012 by Jingthing

[zzaa09]

Clearly, this a political propaganda and PR gesture.....considersing Thailand's history and policy towards immigrants and refugees. Not pretty at all.

[bonobo]

There is also the fact that if it is the second attempt at escape for the person, he or she awaits execution back in the DPRK. I can't think that too many nations would want to send people back to that.

There are nations which refuse to extradite capital offense criminals to the US on the chance that they might face execution, so who wants to send someone to his or her death for just trying to get a new life?

[mataus101]

by international law i thought countries were obligated to help refugees as its not a crime to be one

[balo]

Brainwashed North Koreans should seek refugee in Pattaya . Im sure their brain will start to function normally again after a few weeks in "Paradise".

.

Edited January 9, 2012 by balo

[godwave]

Brainwashed North Koreans should seek refugee in Pattaya . Im sure their brain will start to function normally again after a few weeks in "Paradise".

.

LOL. Talk about a culture shock.

[zzaa09]

by international law i thought countries were obligated to help refugees as its not a crime to be one

International Law....??

What's that? And by whose standard?

International.

[draggons]

Watched a good documentary on this a while ago. It's about a three week journey for the refuges from NK to Thailand and not an easy one. Think that Thailand is about the only country in the region that doesn't deport them back to NK.

[parmo1]

There are nations which refuse to extradite capital offense criminals to the US on the chance that they might face execution, so who wants to send someone to his or her death for just trying to get a new life?

Like Canada, USA's neighbour, to the north. All the AWOL Vietnam soldiers used to go there , most were only 18-20 year kids. USA used to give almost life jail sentences to "deserters".

But Thailand must be a real paradise after North Korea, i wonder how these North Koreans pay for the bus trips from China - Laos - Thailand ? It is not cheap

Edited January 10, 2012 by parmo1