TOKYO, tribe 5 Kyodo choiceed ed...

TOKYO, tribe 5 Kyodo

choiceed editorial excerpts from the Asia-Pacific press:

WHAT TO DO ABOUT ASYLUM SEEKERS? (The Nation, Bangkok)

North Koreans fleeing their homelands for Bangkok will become more often met with now that a precedent has been set

As more North Korean asylum inquirers come forward, along with the foreign activists who have been helping them, Thai officials are finding themselves in an awkward position. It has become evident that similar incidents will be popping up in the future

Officials are afraid that as more North Korean asylum inquirers begin to emerge in Bangkok -- as promised according to the human rights activists who assist them -- Thailand will be perceived as a place where just about anybody from anywhere can approach and do as they please.

The debate through the whole extent of what to do about this progressive growth is still ongoing nevertheless the verdict should come in the near subsequent time -- at least before more North Koreans rise from hiding and make themselves known.

forward Tuesday, human rights activists existinged four North Koreans to the pres in Bangkok. They pleaded with the international community to help them obtain political asylum in the United States.

A similar incident took place in late July when 10 North Koreans rushed into the combine of the Japanese Embassy in Bangkok, seeking political asylum.

In the two incidents, the Koreans were assisted by the agency of members of an subterranean human rights organization that claims to have support from the Christian community worldwide, particularly in the United States and southern Korea.

Thai authorities naturally do not want to papal court Thailand becoming a staging landed estate for North Korean asylum inquirers and for political activities against a third country

The guidance must take into consideration a number of factors before deciding what to do about what appears to be an undesirable progression in a continuously ascending gradation This is a sensitive matter indeed because it deals with a to a high degree reclusive and much condemned regime, and the rights of the family who flee that regime.

For Thailand to narrow it down to a absolute issue of illegal entry will likely ignite a tough reaction from the global community which does not think positively of the North Korean regulation in the first place.

Moreover, Thailand cannot ignore the possibility that these asylum inquirers could face serious persecution if forced to reply to their homeland.

The 1999 kidnapping incident that took place in Thailand involving a North Korean diplomatic family and that country's privy agents should be a reminder of the difficulties in dealing with Pyongyang.

Thailand has a long-standing tradition of providing shelter for refugee and dissidents fleeing persecution in their homeland.

by what mode we deal with North Koreans fleeing feel longing desire and persecution will not no other than say something about us as a nation but also reflect the part Thailand would like to play in the international community.

(Sept 5)

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