North Korea Watch 2013-2019

update on DPRK talks www3.nhk.or.jp... from the link

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Envoy tells Xi N.Korea ready for dialogue

A North Korean special envoy has reportedly told Chinese President Xi Jinping that his country is willing to resolve problems through dialogue, including the six-party talks on its nuclear program.

Choe Ryong Hae, the Director of the Korean People's Army General Political Bureau, arrived in Beijing on Wednesday as the special envoy of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Choe met President Xi on Friday to hand over Kim's personal letter.

According to China's state-run media, Xi said China hopes the six countries will resume talks to achieve denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

Choe reportedly said North Korea is willing to work with other countries to protect peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and resolve problems through dialogue, including the six-party nuclear talks.

The six-party talks have not been held since late 2008. North Korea had repeatedly announced it would never return to the nuclear talks.

North Korea has not issued any official statement about Choe's meeting with Xi.

Chinese media reported that the envoy also expressed North Korea's willingness for dialogue during his meeting with Chinese Communist Party Standing Political Bureau member Liu Yunshan in Beijing on Thursday.

However, so far North Korean media have made no mention of the reported remarks by the envoy.

May 24, 2013 - Updated 13:15 UTC

let the talks begin!!

well it is the Memorial day weekend, so this will be the last post till Monday, I hope you all have a safe weekend english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

N. Korean leader stresses importance of friendship between Pyongyang, Beijing: reports
SEOUL, May 25 (Yonhap) -- In a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un underlined the need to foster and consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries, the North's state media said Saturday. Full story

Kim Jong-un's special envoy meets Chinese president
BEIJING, May 24 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's special envoy met with Chinese President Xi Jinping Friday to deliver Pyongyang's willingness to re-join long-suspended six-party talks on ending its nuclear programs, news reports and sources said. Full story

N. Korea's special envoy Choe Ryong-hae meets Chinese president
BEIJING, May 24 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's special envoy Choe Ryong- met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday as part of Pyongyang's effort to mend frayed relations with its main supporter, diplomatic sources here said. Full story

N. Korean envoy reiterates willingness for talks
BEIJING/SEOUL, May 24 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean envoy met a senior Chinese military official Friday, reiterating his country's willingness to talk with "all concerned parties" to ease tension in the region in order to help Pyongyang mend frayed relations with its main supporter. Full story

off for the week end

I was going to take the weekend off and just check to see what was up well this is what is up, Little Un slapped face of China, thus humiliating China, and this you do not do. english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

2013/05/26 11:40 KST
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China humiliated by N. Korea's defiant nuclear test: S. Korean diplomat
SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- China felt humiliated when North Korea defied its warnings and conducted a series of missile and nuclear provocations earlier this year, a South Korea diplomat has said, citing remarks by Chinese diplomats
"China felt humiliated over North Korea squarely challenging its request (to stop provocations)," Kim Sook, South Korea's representative to the United Nations in New York, said in a group interview held on Thursday in Seoul. "That's what Chinese diplomats have said privately."

Despite reported warnings from China, North Korea's closest ally, the communist country conducted a long-range rocket launch, suspected to be aimed at testing its ballistic missile technology, in December and its third nuclear test on Feb. 12. The provocations, condemned by the international society, including China, led to the U.N.'s adoption of two punitive resolutions, numbered 2087 and 2094.

Kim spearheaded the international discussions over the North's provocations before the U.N.'s adoption of the resolutions, designed to diplomatically and economically punish the North for the two tests.

In departure from its previous stance to keep neutral about the international community's efforts to punish the North, China also actively joined the U.N. moves and reportedly increased efforts to implement the punitive U.N. resolutions.

"China was very indignant about North Korea crossing a line during their military provocations, including the December missile launch and the February nuclear test," Kim said, adding that despite this, China's North Korean policy largely remains unchanged.

Kim deferred a U.N. decision over the adoption of Resolution 2094, condemning the North's February nuke test, from February to March in order to help beef up the contents of it, he said. The deferring also reflects South Korea's chairing of the U.N. Security Council in February. China agreed with the decision, he said.

The diplomat also said the North's recent dispatch of a special envoy to China indicates the country's intention to show off to the outside world, especially to the United States, that it is making diplomatic efforts to resolve the tensions with the international community.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent Choe Ryong-hae, the director of the General Political Bureau of North Korea's People's Army, as the special envoy to China last Wednesday. Choe met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing Friday, during which he conveyed Pyongyang's willingness to open dialogue on the issue.


Kim Sook, South Korea's diplomat to the United Nations in New York (Yonhap)

[email protected]
(END)

little Un very lucky China did not come kicking doors in to slap little Un down, there would be no spanking just a good old slap down , by the way of firing squad, oh ya DPRK is its own nation not ruled by china.... silly me

We should all take heed of what SK has to say english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

2013/05/25 20:44 KST
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(3rd LD) S. Korea skeptical of N. Korea's intent to return to six-party talks: official
SEOUL, May 25 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is skeptical of a suggestion made by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's special envoy that his communist regime is willing to re-join long-suspended six-party talks, a Seoul official said Saturday.

Choe Ryong-hae, the director of the General Political Bureau of North Korea's People's Army, met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, during which he conveyed Pyongyang's willingness to open dialogue on the issue with "concerned parties." He also conveyed North Korea's plan to actively work to ensure stability on the Korean Peninsula.

According to China's official news media, Choi's remarks came in response to Xi's call for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. Xi was quoted by Xinhua news service as saying that denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula should be met "no matter how the situation would evolve."

The Seoul government sees North Korea's policy direction as expressed through Choe lacks specifics concerning the desired goal of it and other regional players to make the Korean Peninsula nuclear-free.

"Unlike China, North Korea did not say the word 'denuclearization,'" a high-ranking South Korean government official said. "We have to wait a little longer and keep watch over the words and behavior of North Korea regarding nuclear issues."

The official also said it is "too early" to believe the truthfulness of Pyongyang's intentions to return to the six-party forum.

The South Korean ruling Saenuri party also voiced skepticism, saying that Pyongyang should first give up its nuclear program before restarting the process of the six-party talks.

"The six-party talks are necessary. But North Korea should first reveal its intent to denuclearize," the ruling party spokeswoman, Min Hyun-joo, said in a press release.

The main opposition Democratic Party welcomed North Korea's willingness for talks and called on Pyongyang to follow up its willingness with action.

"We hope North Korea will come forward for sincere talks for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," said Rep. Kim Kwan-young, senior deputy spokesman of the party. "We anticipate swift follow-up measures from North Korea."

Earlier in the day, the North's state media reported that in his personal letter delivered to Xi through his special envoy, the North Korean leader underlined the need to foster and consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Kim Jong-un's gesture was seen as part of a greater effort to mend fences with China. Pyongyang angered Beijing by raising tensions in the region by continuing to pursue a nuclear program despite China's repeated call against it.

"Kim Jong-un in his personal letter underlined the need to carry forward and consolidate the traditional DPRK (North Korea)-China friendship provided and cultivated by the revolutionaries of the elder generation of the two countries," the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a report, monitored in Seoul.

"Xi Jinping expressed deep thanks for this and asked Choe Ryong-hae to convey his cordial greetings to Kim Jong-un," the KCNA report said.

The South Korean official also noted that it is still too early to judge whether an estranged relationship between the two communist countries has been mended.

Meanwhile, Choe returned home on Friday after his meeting with the Chinese leader, the KCNA added.

North Korea walked away from the six-party nuclear disarmament talks in 2009 over disagreements on how to verify steps the North was meant to take to end its nuclear programs.

The talks involve the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia.

[email protected]
(END)

any one else holding their breath???; that this will be come fact and not just an act or show of words ?? I thought so...

China US in Japan news over DPRK... oh my www3.nhk.or.jp... from the link

N.Korean media fail to mention dialogue

North Korea's state-run media have reported its special envoy's meeting with China's President, but made no mention of his reported remarks indicating the North's willingness for dialogue.

Choe Ryong Hae, the Director of the Korean People's Army General Political Bureau, visited China for 3 days from Wednesday as the special envoy of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He held talks with President Xi Jinping on Friday.

China's state-run media quoted Choe as saying in the talks that North Korea is willing to resolve problems through dialogue with other countries, including the six-party talks on it nuclear program.

The media also reported that Choe said his country will work with other countries to protect peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

But the report by North Korea's media on Saturday made no mention of Choe's reported comment about dialogue. The report only focused on the 2 men's agreement to step up bilateral ties.

Chinese media also reported that Choe expressed Pyongyang's willingness for dialogue in a meeting with another senior Chinese official on Thursday. But North Korea's state-run media made no mention of this either.

North Korea calls itself a nuclear power, and has repeatedly said it will never abandon its nuclear program. The North also declared in January that the six-party talks do not exist anymore.

Some observers say Choe made the reported remarks just in consideration of China, which chairs the six-party talks.

May 25, 2013 - Updated 21:44 UTC

and from the same news source, direct link www3.nhk.or.jp... from the link

US urges N.Korea to act for denuclearization

The United States has urged North Korea to take concrete steps toward denuclearization following a report that the North is willing to return to the 6-party talks on its nuclear program.

US State Department spokesperson Patrick Ventrell told NHK that the United States and China agree that denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is essential to move forward the diplomatic process with the North.

Observers say the US administration sees the latest move by the North as an effort to draw China closer to it.

China, the North's ally, has recently taken a harsher stance on the country.

In a related development, Russian Foreign Ministry special envoy Grigorhy Logvinov welcomed the North's remarks on its readiness to return to the multilateral talks.

He told Russian media on Friday that he takes the North's move positively, as displaying a reversal of its previous provocative rhetoric and behavior.

He also suggested that Russia will cooperate with other countries involved in the 6-party framework to resume the stalled talks.

May 25, 2013 - Updated 06:00 UTC

oh no look like some one might be turning blue , breath , for it is all talk and an act by Un and the DPRK, there will be no talks.

little Un wants to hide ships, and go skiing by this winter english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

2013/05/27 09:39 KST
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N. Korean leader orders concealment of naval vessels
SEOUL, May 27 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered the concealment of combat vessels during an inspection tour of a naval unit, state media reported Monday.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said the remark was made at the Navy's 291 unit after Kim discovered vessels berthed in exposed locations. The report did not say when the visit was made or the location of the unit.

Kim, who holds the military rank of marshal in the Korean People's Army (KPA), said North Korea's enemies are constantly trying to track the movement of military assets, so it is imperative that they are well concealed. He stressed concealment is a key part of maintaining fighting capability of the country's armed forces.

The remarks by the leader is a reference to extensive surveillance activities carried out on the North by Seoul and Washington. The allies use the information to gauge the threat level of the communist country, with a spike in military activity possibly hinting that the North is planning some sort of action.

Kim also emphasized the importance of preparedness of the military and ordered all upper-echelon commands, including the Ministry of People's Armed Forces, to determine problems that can impede the military's fighting capabilities and make swift corrections.

The KCNA, meanwhile, said that Kim paid a visit to the Masik Pass Skiing Ground being built by the KPA and provided on-the-spot field guidance.

The news wire service said that the leader made clear that Pyongyang wants to make the ski course one of the best in the world and ordered all related organizations to offer all necessary assistance. The North wants to open the ski slope this winter.

Masik is a 768 meter pass located in Kangwon Province on the east coast and is not far from the Pyongyang-Wonsan motorway that links the capital to the port city.

[email protected]
(END)

wounder if he will try to combine the 2 ?, water winter skiing,
I can see the add now an other way of collecting funds not sanctioned "yes for 20 Koren dollars you too can go winter water skiing , choose your ships!!!, and captain!!!! little Un, or the Ministry of People's Armed Forces, act now for 2 for the price of one "

on a more serious note SK asks DPRK er Un to be more sincer twords the 6 party talks english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

2013/05/27 14:53 KST
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S. Korea urges N. Korea to show 'sincerity' for six-party talks: FM
SEOUL, May 27 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se on Monday called for North Korea to demonstrate its "sincerity" through action, in response to an apparent offer by North Korea saying it was open to dialogue over its nuclear weapons program.

Yun made the remarks days after the North Korean leader's special envoy, Choe Ryong-hae, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday. During the meeting, Xi urged the North to return to the long-stalled six-nation talks on Pyongyang's nuclear standoff.

well that is all for now. back soon with more new news.

tonight's news; to many to list, but here are the links :english.yonhapnews.co.kr... this one is... SK express regret for editorial to Japan www3.nhk.or.jp... and here is one that has little to say it at all for a few, www.koreaherald.com... from the link

S. Korean progressive group urges gov't not to block inter-Korean talks

well that is it for now if anything comes up you know what ill do... post it here for all to read

4 top new news from South Korea, and 3 that are worth reading english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

N. Korea says no plans to give up nuclear capabilities
SEOUL, May 28 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Tuesday that it has no plans to unilaterally give up its nuclear capabilities in the face of ceaseless threats from the United States. Full story

N. Korea invites S. Korean bizmen, officials to talks
SEOUL, May 28 (Yonhap) -- In what appeared to be a conciliatory move, North Korea on Tuesday invited South Korean officials as well as businessmen for talks on reopening a suspended joint industrial complex in its territory. Full story

Laos returns 9 North Korean defectors to China: official
SEOUL, May 28 (Yonhap) -- Laos has sent nine North Koreans who fled their totalitarian homeland through China last month back to China, a senior Seoul official said Tuesday, indicating that they are at risk of being repatriated to North Korea. Full story

S. Korean progressive group urges gov't not to block inter-Korean talks
SEOUL, May 28 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean progressive group on Tuesday urged the government not to block an opportunity to engage North Korea in talks aimed at allowing a joint event to mark the 13th anniversary of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration. Full story
bulet LATEST NEWS more
(LEAD) Pentagon: S. Korea, U.S., Japan to discuss N. Korea in Singapore 05-29 05:00
Pentagon: S. Korea, U.S., Japan to discuss N. Korea in Singapore 05-29 04:19
(2nd LD) N. Korea invites S. Korean bizmen, officials to talks 05-28 20:33

well that should keep you reading for a time, I am getting bad weather here ,I am off line till the weather clears up.

for give me for not posting news, DPRK is ask for a full blown Peace treaty and Japan SK defense summit unlikely www3.nhk.or.jp... form the link

Sources: Japan-S.Korea defense summit unlikely

Sources say the defense ministers of Japan and South Korea are unlikely to hold a meeting soon because of strained bilateral relations over historical issues.

A South Korean Defense Ministry source told NHK on Tuesday that the ministry will probably decline Japan's proposal for a meeting between Itsunori Onodera and Kim Kwan-jin.

The Japanese side is suggesting that the ministers meet on the sidelines of the Asia security summit to be held in Singapore from Friday. The ministers and US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel are to discuss North Korea during the meeting.

Another source said remarks and actions by some members of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet have provoked national sentiment in South Korea.
The source was referring to some ministers' recent visits to Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo. The shrine honors Japan's war dead, including some who were convicted of war crimes after World War Two.

Remarks on so-called comfort women also drew criticism in South Korea. Many of the women were forced to work in wartime brothels for Japanese soldiers.

Japan and South Korea were to sign a pact for protecting shared security information last year.

But the signing was postponed after some South Korean lawmakers called for caution against the pact.

May 28, 2013 - Updated 17:00 UTC

and the call for a peace treaty english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

2013/05/29 10:37 KST
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N. Korea calls for replacing Korean War armistice with peace treaty
SEOUL, May 29 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Wednesday called for replacing an armistice signed at the end of the Korean War with a formal peace treaty in order to enhance stability on the Korean Peninsula.

In an article carried by the Rodong Sinmun, an organ of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK), the communist country claimed efforts to hold onto the cease-fire pact that halted the three-year conflict in July 1953 can only be viewed as an attempt to start another war of invasion.

well, of to see the new news, link english.yonhapnews.co.kr... it is a 4 some

Nine defectors repatriated to N. Korea from China: official
SEOUL, May 29 (Yonhap) -- China appears to have repatriated nine North Korean defectors to their totalitarian homeland after they were caught in Laos and sent to Beijing early this week, a Seoul official said Wednesday, raising fears that they are likely to face harsh punishment. Full story

N. Korea's imports from China drop amid tensions
BEIJING, May 29 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's imports from China for this year registered its first drop in three years due apparently to China's tightened grip on transactions with its ally under United Nations sanctions, Beijing's customs data showed Wednesday. Full story

Seoul prods Pyongyang to come to negotiations
SEOUL, May 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea pressed North Korea Wednesday to accept its proposal to hold government-level talks on reopening a troubled inter-Korean industrial complex in the communist country that remains closed for nearly two months. Full story

Gov't urged to bring 9 N.K. defectors to South
SEOUL, May 29 (Yonhap) -- The ruling Saenuri Party asked the government Wednesday to use all of its diplomatic resources to bring nine North Korean defectors in China to South Korea. Full story

well back soon with more

edit on 29-5-2013 by bekod because: added link, line edit

seems this thread is about dead and I'm the only one keeping it going , oh well someone will read some day.... and now for the new news as if there was none form the link of english.yonhapnews.co.kr...

S. Korea takes repatriation of N. Korean defectors to U.N. agencies
SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has asked U.N. human rights agencies to help ensure the safety of nine North Korean defectors who were repatriated to the North from China after being caught in Laos, a senior Seoul official said Thursday. Full story

Park, Xi likely to adopt statement on 'denuclearization' of N. Korea
SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to adopt a joint declaration that includes the "denuclearization" of North Korea, after their summit talks set for late next month, a diplomatic source in Seoul said Thursday. Full story

S. Korea to discuss N. Korea in security forum in Singapore
SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin will meet defense chiefs from the United States, Japan and other regional players at a security forum in Singapore to discuss North Korea and other issues, his office said Thursday. Full story

U.S. urges China, Laos to protect N. Korean defectors
WASHINGTON, May 29 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. expressed concern Wednesday over China's reported repatriation of nine North Korean defectors deported by Laos. Full story

well off to see the other news

reply to post by bekod


Thank you for your continued contributions bekod.

Things may be quiet....but this thread is technically valid until the last bell is about to toll December 31st 2013 at 23:59:59

I do appreciate your time and others time in posting on here.

reply to post by auroraaus
thanks for your encouragement here is today's head lines english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

S. Korea bars citizens from holding talks to arrange June 15 joint declaration event
SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Thursday effectively barred its citizens from attending a preparatory meeting in North Korea to arrange an event marking the 13th anniversary of the South-North Joint Declaration reached in 2000. Full story

S. Korea takes repatriation of N. Korean defectors to U.N. agencies
SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korea has asked U.N. human rights agencies to help ensure the safety of nine North Korean defectors who were repatriated to the North from China after being caught in Laos, a senior Seoul official said Thursday. Full story

Park, Xi likely to adopt statement on 'denuclearization' of N. Korea
SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to adopt a joint declaration that includes the "denuclearization" of North Korea, after their summit talks set for late next month, a diplomatic source in Seoul said Thursday. Full story

S. Korea to discuss N. Korea in security forum in Singapore
SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin will meet defense chiefs from the United States, Japan and other regional players at a security forum in Singapore to discuss North Korea and other issues, his office said Thursday. Full story

the one that i find most interesting is this one:

Park, Xi likely to adopt statement on 'denuclearization' of N. Korea
SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye and Chinese President Xi Jinping are likely to adopt a joint declaration that includes the "denuclearization" of North Korea, after their summit talks set for late next month, a diplomatic source in Seoul said Thursday.

this could be the reason why Un and the DPRK are seeking a Peace Treaty, I have made a thread on this here on ATS.

reply to post by bekod


I second the user above - thank you for your continued contribution. This thread is still a good source of continued information.

thanks to all that keep me interested in this , there is no real new news
tonight just some boring dull news not worth posting, so i will check back later with some real news , or if all else fails, boring and dull just to read, as if there is noting else to read, ATS that's what.

well it is not boring , dull, but not boring english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

S. Korean defense chief to discuss N. Korea at Singapore forum
SINGAPORE, May 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin arrived in Singapore Friday to attend a security forum where he will focus on coordinating efforts on North Korea as hope grows for talks to reduce tension following months of bellicose rhetoric from the communist country. Full story

Park urges N. Korea to agree to government-level dialogue
SEOUL, May 31 (Yonhap) -- President Park Geun-hye said Friday North Korea should hold government-to-government dialogue with South Korea, rather than civilian-level exchanges, if it wants to normalize a suspended joint industrial complex and resolve other issues. Full story

S. Korean rights groups slam Laos for deporting N. Korean defectors
SEOUL, May 31 (Yonhap) -- Human rights groups in Seoul strongly denounced the Lao government Friday for handing over nine North Korean defectors to their totalitarian homeland despite fears they could face persecution there. Full story

Number of N. Korean mobile phone users tops 2 mln: report
SEOUL, May 31 (Yonhap) -- The number of mobile phone owners in North Korea has exceeded the 2 million level, a report said Friday, indicating that one out of every 12 North Korean citizens are using wireless telephone services. Full story

for a nation that can not feed it self , it sure can talk a lot, one out of 12?? must be Un and his DPRK thugs

Ive also been keeping up on your updates. I still think it needs watching, NK are unpredictable so we shouldnt turn away yet.

Originally posted by bekod
for a nation that can not feed it self , it sure can talk a lot, one out of 12?? must be Un and his DPRK thugs

It's all smoke and mirrors isn't it?

The challenge is for us to cut through propaganda... but which is which?

It's the same hassle I have with USA, Israel and Russian politics...

Thanks for your work here, Bekod. I would bet there are at least 20 people that are following your posts daily. You have it so well covered, nobody else has anything useful to add.

thanks again to all that read and reply to my posts, it just seems at time s that no one is reading them no reply's or stars, not all the time but 10 or 12 posts , at lest it seems like that , but then who needs stars. end of rant and thanks now for the news ..
Not much but there is one that shows that China and DPRK er Un are on the same old same old road english.yonhapnews.co.kr... from the link

2013/06/01 06:38 KST
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(LEAD) Rep. Royce protests China's repatriation of nine North Koreans
(ATTN: UPDATES with Korea expert's view in last 4 paras)
By Lee Chi-dong
WASHINGTON, May 31 (Yonhap) -- The head of the U.S. congressional panel on foreign affairs has lodged a strong protest with the Chinese government against its recent repatriation of nine North Korean defectors, his office said Friday.

Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to China's President Xi Jinping expressing his concern over recent reports of the forced repatriation of nine North Korean defectors, some as young as 15, who now face extreme punishment in North Korea, including torture and execution, his office said in a press release.

"The U.S. and China must work together to address the serious challenges that North Korea poses to the world community. I strongly encourage the Government of the People's Republic of China to work closely with the U.S. and others to find an alternative to forced repatriations," Royce wrote in the letter.

The statement came as U.S. President Barack Obama plans to meet Xi in California next week.

The nine North Koreans -- reportedly between age 15 and 23 -- fled North Korea in 2011 and were hiding in China. They then moved to Laos in hopes of settling in South Korea.

They were caught by the Lao authorities and earlier this month deported to China, which later repatriated them to the North.

The Obama administration said it was not directly involved in the case, although it said it is keeping close tabs on related events.

"We are very concerned about the reports we have seen that the individuals have been sent back to North Korea," State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said at a press briefing. "We urge all countries in the region to cooperate in the protection of North Korean refugees within their territories. We do remain very concerned about their well-being and we're monitoring it closely."

Some human rights groups here said they would hold protest rallies in front of the embassies of China and Laos.

Dennis Halpin, a Korea expert in the U.S., also accused the Lao authorities of breaking a "gentlemen's agreement."

"The news from Laos of the recent repatriation was especially disturbing. It seemed a break with long-term, unofficial arrangements under which Lao officials looked the other way with regards to North Korean refugees. It is a major blow to the underground refugee network," said Halpin, a long-time congressional staffer and currently a visiting scholar at the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University.

He said bribes from Pyongyang might have led Laos to abandon its longstanding policy of cooperating with South Korea on the issue of North Korean refugees.

"Certainly not by coincidence, a Lao delegation was recently in Pyongyang," he said in an op-ed piece on the website for the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "How much blood money did (North Korean leader) Kim Jong-un pledge in return for the forced repatriation of refugees? Did this lead the Lao to renege on the 'gentlemen's agreement' on North Korean refugees which they had previously reached with the South Korean Embassy in Vientiane?"

[email protected]
[email protected]
(END)

now at the time I read this I thought to my self why would China return them , then it dawned on me.... this is China to heck with what the world thinks and for the DPRK a real victory, now they will have their day of blood shed. Un will get to say ready aim fire. I'll bet Obama will go running to Ab with open arms, and bows; any takers??