Following The Wall Street Journal’s comments, China Should Allow North Korean Refugees to Stay, Financial Times expressed its view on North Korean refugees.
China must stop hindering the flow of North Koreans seeking to escape hunger and poverty in the world’s most isolated country, while other world powers should back up their tough resolutions with action, the International Crisis Group says in a report on the plight of North Korean refugees.
While international attention is on Pyongyang’s nuclear programme, the think-tank warns that a humanitarian challenge is looming as widespread food shortages are likely to propel more starving North Koreans into China, a country taking increasingly tough steps to stop border crossers.
“The plight of North Koreans seeking refuge in China from the deprivations they face back home is likely to get much worse until greater pressure is placed on China to adjust its practices,” the ICG said in the report released on Thursday. “Concerned governments must back up their words and resolutions with a greater commitment to recognise and accept North Korean refugees.”[Full Text]
