Two North Korean women arrested at Dalian Airport, activists call for urgent response from international community

On January 22, two North Korean defectors were reportedly arrested by Chinese authorities at Dalian International Airport in China. (Image | iStock/dzika_mrowka)

  • A mother and daughter who defected from North Korea have been arrested by Chinese authorities
  • Gyeoreol Unification Federation calls for diplomatic action and international intervention

It was confirmed on January 22 that two North Korean defectors have been arrested by Chinese authorities at Dalian International Airport in China. The incident was first reported by the North Korean human rights group, Gyeoreol Tongil Yundae (the National Association of North Korean Defectors).

The arrested individuals were identified as a mother and daughter. The daughter, Ms. Choi, had previously lived in China before entering South Korea in December. According to Ms. Choi’s friend, she traveled to China, saying she was visiting her previous residence.

The arrest took place at the security checkpoint at Dalian Airport, where the two women were forcibly detained. They urgently alerted South Korean authorities about their arrest as they were being taken away.

“We have submitted their personal information and the details of the arrest to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the office of South Korea’s ruling party lawmaker, Park Chung-gwon,” representative from Gyeoreol Tongil Yundae said. This kind of arrest and forced repatriation of North Koreans keeps happening in China.” He called for immediate intervention by the international community.

The South Korean government is making diplomatic efforts to ensure the safety and protection of the two women. “International unity and cooperation are essential if we are to protect the human rights and safety of North Korean defectors,” the Gyeoreol Tongil Yundae representative said. He said the Chinese government should stop forced repatriations and respect the human rights of North Koreans.

Lee Ae-ran
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