North Korean defectors surge into Thailand amidst regional tension
North Korean defectors surge into Thailand amidst regional tension
I came across this article while researching about North Korea defectors in Southeast Asia. Given the strict deportation policy in China and border controls, Southeast Asia, for many North Koreans, is a stepping ground for stepwise migration further to South Korea or even beyond to the UK and the US. This article, published in August of 2017, features an increase in North Korean defector population in Thailand, following the tension between South and North Korea. They usually cross the Mekong River in the Golden triangle, in search for the South Korean embassy or any international protection they can get.
Some of the thought points:
Although the article argues that the increased tension between South and North Korea can increase the number of North Korean defectors, it is very unlikely. One, the tension has less influence on North Korean population than it does on the international community. Two, North Korean defectors usually migrate on stepwise pattern, which means that they stay in certain areas for a quite some period to earn and save budget to travel. Thus, the speculation that the number of North Korean defectors increased due to the tension between the two Koreas does not convince me.
On top of that, this article has made me curious about the role of the Golden triangle in shaping the migration dynamics of the region. Given that the Golden triangle is where the borders of three countries meet and interact, what are some mobility that exist in this region? How do different government (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos) control theses borders?
Thailand does not consider North Korean defectors as refugees, but rather illegal immigrants. “Thailand has not signed the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees and has no specific law on refugees.” What are some policies of Southeast Asian countries regarding refugees and illegal immigrants? How many of them are part of the Geneva Convention and how many are not?
The article mentions that while the number of North Korean defectors increased in Southeast Asia, their number is constant in South Korea, meaning that there are more North Korean defectors who have chosen Southeast Asia as their final destination or face more difficulties getting out of SEA. What are some possible new dynamics that this migration population create in this region?