The unknown fate of many who returned to DPR Korea from China: UN independent expert

There is no information on the whereabouts and treatment of those repatriated – or those who remain at risk of returning – experts said press release on Wednesday.

“These events are part of a long-standing pattern of gross human rights violations against individuals who were forcibly returned to the DPRK. “Due to the absence of independent monitoring in both countries, many returnees remain unaccounted for,” they said.

“As long as their fate and whereabouts remain unknown, returnees are denied essential protections against enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, execution, torture, forced labor, sexual and gender-based violence, and other serious human rights violations,” the experts added.

Traded and exploited

Reports indicate that some women who left the DPRK – commonly known as North Korea – became victims of human trafficking, forced marriage and sexual exploitation.

Among them is Kim Cheol-ok, who reportedly fled the DPRK during the 1990s famine and was trafficked to China as a child.

Forced to marry at the age of 14, she was subjected to sexual violence and forced pregnancy.

Despite living in China for around 25 years and maintaining family ties, he reportedly faced harassment and restrictions due to his unusual status.

Detained by Chinese authorities in April 2023 without access to legal representation, he was forcibly returned in October 2023. His fate and whereabouts remain unknown.

Arbitrary Detention Working Group found in 2024 that his detention by China and the DPRK was arbitrary.

Crime and punishment

Since 2023, Reports emerged of serious human rights violations against returnees, especially those who were deemed to have sought asylum or left the country without permission.raising concerns based on the principle of non-refoulement.

The principle states that no one should be returned to a country where they face the risk of persecution, torture or inhumane treatment.

“Irregular migration status does not reduce the obligation to respect these principles non-refoulement,” experts say.

“Given long-standing evidence that North Korean citizens who leave the country without permission, or seek protection abroad, may face harsh penalties upon return,” they said, reports of mass repatriations “raise questions about whether their protection needs have been adequately assessed prior to repatriation.”

‘Persistent obstacles’

Experts say “persistent obstacles continue to hinder efforts to obtain information” about the fate and whereabouts of returnees – including those in political prison camps – as well as those who remain at risk of forced return from China.

They called on China to respect the principle of non-refoulement, refrain from repatriating North Koreans “and ensure access to fair and effective procedures to assess their international protection needs”.

They also asked Pyongyang to reveal the fate and whereabouts of the returnees.

About experts

Special Rapporteurs and other independent experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to monitor and report on human rights themes or specific country situations.

They serve in their individual capacities, are independent of any government or organization, are not UN staff and receive no salary for their work.