North Korean Refugees to be Deported
(Update: It was 92 refugees arrested, not 86 as originally posted) Thankfully, not to North Korea
Thailand says it will deport 92 North Koreans who were detained in a Bangkok suburb last week for entering the country illegally. But the foreign ministry says they will probably not be repatriated to North Korea.
The 76 adults in the North Korean group were convicted by a Thai court for illegal entry into the kingdom and sentenced to prison. But their sentences were immediately suspended, and they were put on probation while awaiting deportation.
Thai foreign ministry spokesman Kitti Wasinondh told VOA it is unlikely the adults and 16 children will be heading back to the home they fled. He said that in the case of illegal North Korean refugees, his country takes humanitarian considerations into account.
“I don’t think they will be deported to North Korea,” he said. “Our law specifies that they have to be deported, so it’s up to a third country to offer [asylum].”
So from what I see, Thailand is going to do everything they can to prevent refugees from entering the country, but once they are caught inside the country, they will deport them to a third country. It’s not exactly a good deal for refugees, but it’s much better than any other options.
