(Via OFK) Thanks to crackdowns in China and famine in coastal areas, the ocean is becoming a popular escape route among defectors.

Ten North Koreans have defected by boat to the South this month, coming in a total of six trips, four of which were reportedly taken in stolen motor boats.

While thousands of defectors come to the South every year, they usually do so by first going to China and Southeast Asia. The boat journey is more direct but riskier. This month’s trips have reportedly prompted North Korea to strengthen its coastal borders.

More than 2,000 North Koreans came to the South in 2006 and 3,000 defections are expected this year according to the Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights.

With Chinese authorities actively ridding its country of refugees before the Olympics, going out to sea in the onset of typhoon season is becoming more of an attractive option.

Unfortunately, there is no way to help seafaring refugees until they land somewhere outside of North Korea.

Good to see someone finally get a break

A SOUTH Korean prisoner of war has escaped North Korea after 55 years and is waiting in a third country to return to his homeland, an activist said today.
The 78-year-old man was in a South Korean consulate after fleeing the communist state on June 14, Choi Sung-Yong, who arranged the rescue, said.

The man was captured by North Korean troops in 1953 after suffering a gunshot wound to the knee.

“He had worked as a coal miner in North Hamgyong province. He fled alone through China, leaving his wife and children at his home,” Mr Choi said.

“He is sick and being attended by South Korean officials,” said the South Korean activist, who has arranged at least 10 previous escapes.

Mr Choi did not elaborate on the PoW’s rescue, which involved arranging border crossings. If caught in China, refugees from North Korea face repatriation and harsh punishment - possibly even a death sentence.

I wonder what drove him to live so long?

And with it comes extra scrutiny

With the Beijing Olympic torch relay ahead which is supposed to be staged on July 19th in Yanji, China, a large-scale resident registration investigation have been taking place, so defectors have been going through rough experiences.

While the investigation have not been specifically targeting defectors, Yanji City, which pays special attention to the public security issue, has been making rounds to residences and investigating identifications and family relations, making it more difficult for defectors to hide out.

Mr. Kim who came to Yanji in April of last year bringing a travel certificate valid for one month said through an interview with the Daily NK, “At the time, there were 100-some people who received one-month permits and came with me; a portion of them went back in time, but most of them have been staying in China. I know several people who were caught and arrested during the recent investigation.”

He appealed, “With the help of relatives, I fortunately was able to avoid the investigation. Extending the valid term of the travel certificate has become difficult, so depending on the opportunity, I am thinking about going back to my hometown, but I do not have any money.”

It is not uncommon for defectors to be caught during unrelated investigation. This is more significant as this links the Olympics negatively affecting the fate of defectors. But just like any issue that tarnishes China’s image, this is swept under the rug or its citizenry will backlash against “outside forces”.