Defectors give grim account of life in N. Korea


06/05/2007


THE ASAHI SHIMBUN


An impoverished family of North Koreans who arrived in Japan in a small wooden boat seeking asylum in South Korea have told police they fled because they could no longer endure the harsh conditions in their homeland.


The parents and two sons--one in his late 20s and the other in his 30s--said a lack of job opportunities, no money and dire food shortages spurred them to leave, according to Aomori prefectural police.


It emerged that the father, who is in his 50s, used to work as a fisherman. The younger son followed in his footsteps to catch octopus. The eldest son attended a vocational school.


Police said the family told them that the son who works as a fisherman purchased the primitive wooden boat that was used for the 900-kilometer voyage from North Korea across the Sea of Japan. The family reached Fukaura port in Aomori Prefecture early Saturday.


To have stayed would have meant destroying the family, police quoted the family as saying.


Food was so scarce that family members could only eat bits of bread every other day. Since rice is a staple of North Korea--although perennially in short supply--it was not clear if bread is considered a luxury item there.


The four family members said they departed North Korea from a fishing port near Chongjin on the night of May 27. After nearly a week at sea, they reached Kasose port, about 10 kilometers north of Fukaura, around 4 a.m. Saturday.


Then they headed south and were taken into police custody about three hours later at Fukaura port. When they arrived, they possessed some Chinese and North Korean currency, according to police.


The father speaks some Chinese and Japanese, police said.


Initially, the family members said they wanted to go directly to South Korea but scrapped that idea after discovering strict border patrols.


They then headed for Niigata, apparently because they had heard that the North Korean cargo-passenger ferry Man Gyong Bong-92 had made port calls there.


The family members said they knew no one in Japan.


The boat used for the voyage was clearly suited only to coastal trips. It was equipped with an outboard motor that had to be started manually and had a wooden oar to steer it. Police found a compass aboard the boat.


According to witnesses, the family members arrived with pickles in a plastic bag and sausages. They also had five or so clothing items placed at the bottom of the boat and a large plastic sheet that was probably used to shield them from rain. Police also found an umbrella, towels and protective rain gear on the boat.


On Sunday, Foreign Minister Taro Aso and his South Korean counterpart, Song Min Soon, agreed in Cheju Island, South Korea, that the two governments would respect the family members' request to be granted asylum in South Korea based on humanitarian principles.


Thus, South Korean acceptance of the family members would appear to be a foregone conclusion.


Under Japanese law, foreign nationals who arrive in such an unconventional way are required to apply for a permit to stay in the country on a temporary basis.


(IHT/Asahi: June 5,2007)