NK Mother, Daughter in Seoul Seeking Asylum
2003-03-04
North Korean defector Ryu Mi-wha and her daughter Han Sul-hee have arrived in Seoul following their release from a prison in Tumen, China's Jilin Province, officials at South Korean bodies helping North Korean asylum seekers said Tuesday.
The two arrived Saturday at Incheon International Airport via a flight from Hong Kong after the Chinese authorities released them from prison.
Ryu, 43, and Han, 20, had been captured by Chinese security authorities in December 2001 when they attempted to cross the border into China from the North with 10 other defectors.
The Chinese authorities deported two of the refugees immediately and sent Ryu, Han and the remaining eight to a prison in Inner Mongolia.
After transferring the group to a prison in Tumen, the authorities repatriated the eight other defectors but kept Ryu and Han in custody.
Observers say China's decision to free the two North Korean defectors was apparently made due to the efforts of Ryu's relatives in the United States and figures in the U.S. Congress, including Sen. Sam Brownback and Rep. Henry Hyde.
Source : www.korea.net
