US missionary arrested for smuggling North Koreans into Thailand

[jlwilliamsjr18]

If the J wants to kiss up to Uncle Sam, they should publicize this as a rescue. That would gain more yardage with the US.

[Richard Hall]

If the J wants to kiss up to Uncle Sam, they should publicize this as a rescue. That would gain more yardage with the US.

Impossible, because it is still unelected.

In the Premium World's fairy tale it is better to be the elected Big Bad Wolf than unelected Little Red Riding Hood. Otherwise, a happily living ever after can not be scripted.

[halloween]

If the J wants to kiss up to Uncle Sam, they should publicize this as a rescue. That would gain more yardage with the US.

Better still, give Uncle Sam the finger by prosecuting one of his citizens that chooses to break laws in exactly the same fashion as other people smugglers. I don't see any mention of profit motive in the legislation, though it could be argued he's doing it for brownie points from his imaginary friend.

[Naam]

Lets hope they are allowed to reunite with their families in South Korea. The alternative of repatriation will not end well for those fleeing North Korea.

Down to the South Korean govt it seems.

And what's the missionary's position? Is he on top of things with his defense or is he going to get screwed by the RTP?

[Nbarch]

should he get jail time or a medal ?

A medal. The poor north Koreans need all the help they can get.

[NickJ]

The Underground Railway doing this has been in operation a very long time. There was a documentary about it. on CNN or the BBC years ago. It is a long journey. The N Koreans cross the river into China and go into hiding. Sometimes for a year or more . Then they make there way theu Laos to Thailand. In Thailand they take the train to Bkk and bee line it to the S Korean or US Embassy.......This recent arrest is just a cheap publicity stunt.

[Oziex1]

The RTP dealt with this case with startling efficiency.

Lets not get confused with Human Trafficking V's People Smuggling, the first is the slave trade the second is simply providing a taxi service, albeit lacking in comfort and with no guarantee of arriving where you want to be in good health.

[thaigold]

Obviously, the missionary was operating with the full knowledge of his religious organization. Since the North Koreans broke the law on entering Thailand, doesn't the Thai government need to send these people back to North Korea?

[nithisa78]

The wisdom of government goes over most of the poster's heads. Same as the intricacies of sustaining the malcontents that don't understand about being pawns in the capitalist plot (no disrespect intended.) You rule or you're ruled.

These currently stateless citizens will go to SK or stay in Thailand. God help them.

[DaddyWarbucks]

The RTP dealt with this case with startling efficiency.

Lets not get confused with Human Trafficking V's People Smuggling, the first is the slave trade the second is simply providing a taxi service, albeit lacking in comfort and with no guarantee of arriving where you want to be in good health.

Good point about the distinction between human trafficking and people smuggling.

Many of the posters on this thread don't seem to be fully aware of it.

[PETERTHEEATER]

Lets hope they are allowed to reunite with their families in South Korea. The alternative of repatriation will not end well for those fleeing North Korea.

Down to the South Korean govt it seems.

And what's the missionary's position? Is he on top o

f things with his defense or is he going to get screwed by the RTP?

Yes, the 'missionary position' IS man on top but he will have to watch his six!

[Thai at Heart]

Hooray. They managed to catch a humanitarian trying to free people from North Korea. Note to the Thai police. The world thinks this guy is a good guy

[a99az]

Lets hope they are allowed to reunite with their families in South Korea. The alternative of repatriation will not end well for those fleeing North Korea.

Down to the South Korean govt it seems.

And what's the missionary's position? Is he on top of things with his defense or is he going to get screwed by the RTP?

Think it's called "doggy"

[englansi]

Hooray. They managed to catch a humanitarian trying to free people from North Korea. Note to the Thai police. The world thinks this guy is a good guy

Not me, he's a missionary.

[luckyman]

Junta version of "fighting human tafficking".

Very funny but not sure it will help to reach TIER 2 in the US rating.

[luckyman]

Junta version of "fighting human tafficking".

Very funny but not sure it will help to reach TIER 2 in the US rating.[/quote

Totally agree.

But I believe that that was not really their prime concern here, they just want to remain friends with a loyal customer (i.e.North-Korea)

[ravip]

Excellent comments!

Mr Lee should be given a medal and Thailand thrown to the wolves!

Now, why did not Mr Lee take them all to the US and given them & their families citizenship there?

Taking them home is nice, isn't it?

Bravo! Bravo!! Bravo!!!

[ravip]

If the J wants to kiss up to Uncle Sam, they should publicize this as a rescue. That would gain more yardage with the US.

Today very few wants to kiss up to Uncle Sam. He kind of smell not right...

[THAIJAMES]

Trafficking implies "exploitation". Although technically entering the country illegally is there, it's being done for humanitarian purposes

You are correct, this is not a case of human trafficking which requires the movement and exploitation of a person against their will using force, trickery, deceit etc.

It is a case of human smuggling (smuggling of persons) a very different offense. Much less serious under international law.

Unfortunately, the police don't even know the difference.

[ravip]

Trafficking implies "exploitation". Although technically entering the country illegally is there, it's being done for humanitarian purposes

You are correct, this is not a case of human trafficking which requires the movement and exploitation of a person against their will using force, trickery, deceit etc.

It is a case of human smuggling (smuggling of persons) a very different offense. Much less serious under international law.

Unfortunately, the police don't even know the difference.

...and in this case it is a correct act - no offence committed.

Edit

Is it the BIB or some of the posters here that needs some enlightenment?

The biased comments are sickening

Edited August 5, 2015 by ravip

[z42]

The missionary should be getting a medal. The north Koreans face a dreadful journey with the constant fear of almost certain torture and life imprisonment if they are caught in Laos or China. Illegal entry is irrelevant when just what is at stake is put on the line. can't see how helping the most enslaved people on earth escape their hellish life inside N Korea counts as human trafficking. Another massive own goal by the authorities here. Sad

[wabothai]

How in hell do we know this is all true? Could be staged.

[z42]

Looping through Thailand is a usual route for escapees from North Korea who're headed to South Korea.

In the past, the Thai authorities left them alone, as Thailand was an anticommunist bulwark and partner in the US in its strategy of containment.

The fact that this arrest was made and publicized is intended to serve the triple purpose of telling the U.S. that two can play the 'human trafficking' game; to please the North Korean regime, to which Thailand is at least nominally snuggling up as a fellow 'outcast' regime and again, to stick a thumb into the eye of the U.S. vis-a-vis 'democracy' and 'human rights' criticism'; and thirdly, to please the Chinese, who still find North Korea a useful (if extremely vexing) foil against the U.S. and its allies.

In particular, arresting a U.S. citizen in Thailand for 'human trafficking' (Korean-American though he may be) is a very pointed message.

And the US will/can reply in a thousand ways with pointed messages if it wanted. I however expect the answer to come through the mass media, which will show the Thai government for what it is. The Thais are coming to a gun battle armed with a needle.

Did he break the law. Yes!

Did he get caught. Yes!

So therefore he gets arrested, it's generally what happens when you break the law!

If this was the Mexican/US border and the group were a family running from the cartels would it be illegal to enter the US without the correct paperwork. Off course it would be!

For those that say Thailand is a loop for North Koreans getting to South Korea a question. How?

Your arrogance / ignorance is despicable in this case. Laos and China view escapees from N Korea as economic migrants in spite of the fact that the N Korean constitution punishes people who leave without permission (all escapees) as traitors. The punishments for treason range from hard labor in the gulags to execution by firing squad,

Thailand does the honorable thing and allows them safe passage to south korea once they are processed by the S Korean embassy here. Any middle men / women who help these people reach safety of Thailand, and ultimately S Korea are saints frankly.

Hope that enlightens you somewhat

[hawksway]

Why were the Thai Police so naïve? This story should never have been made public, but rather referred to the Thai Foreign Ministry in Bangkok to be sorted through the usual bilaterals.

Stupidity reigns as ever!

[tony5150]

Well I guess it can be technically speaking trafficking if that is what RTP wants to charge him with, but don't start thinking that arresting a guy who helps North Koreans get to South Korea is the same as targeting the refugee death camps in the South, fishing slaves or the trafficking of poor girls to brothels in e.g. China.

I hope the South Korean embassy grants them entrance.

They always do. Only China sends them back. Unless they have enough cash to buy their way out. The Chinese are real pricks about this.

[BuckBee]

shame police not so thorough on video footage from koh tao. rather a convenient political arrest this one ...

[NovaBlue05]

Hopefully, a third party will intervene and instruct the Thai authorities on what's the right thing to do. Otherwise, they're dead men walking

[Somtamnication]

I can sleep better now!

[american12bthai]

Such amaze, Much wow. omg. Thailand... what are you doing signing deals with N koreea?. doesnt that make sense as to why south Korean companies are shutting down? hmm... i have to wonder if something sinister is going on here. .. like unsealed cargo containers. if the police really wanna catch any smuggling they would visit Kilomet Nueng by the Gulf. it translate roughly to "the first kilometer" because it well... about a kilo from the sea. Every taxi knows the place. A taxi mistook me when i wanted to go a kilometer down, but because of the stereotyping in thailand he presumed my skin color preferred entertainment for my class. (and a bit of curiosity on my part as to where the frack he was taking me) Being what he is, he presumed incorrectly.

Every......................single..................................life ............................is important.

[captspectre]

Lets hope they are allowed to reunite with their families in South Korea. The alternative of repatriation will not end well for those fleeing North Korea.

Down to the South Korean govt it seems.

And what's the missionary's position? Is he on top of things with his defense or is he going to get screwed by the RTP?

the north korean refugees are not goin to stay in thailand, they are passing through to A FREE country! but I fear the junta will try to return them to that pisspot dictator in north korea who will than have them executed!