Fate unknown of many returned to DPR Korea from China: UN independent experts

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

“These events form part of a longstanding pattern of serious human rights violations against individuals forcibly returned to the DPRK. In the absence of independent monitoring in either country, many returnees remain unaccounted for,” they said.

“For as long as their fate and whereabouts remain unknown, returnees are deprived of essential safeguards against enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, execution, torture, forced labour, sexual and gender-based violence and other serious human rights violations,” the experts added.

Trafficked and exploited

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

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

Forced into marriage at 14, she was subjected to sexual violence and forced pregnancy.

Despite living in China for about 25 years and establishing family ties, she reportedly faced harassment and restrictions due to her irregular status.

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

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

Crime and punishment

Since 2023, reports have emerged of serious human rights violations against returnees, particularly those perceived as having sought asylum or who left the country without authorisation, raising concerns under the principle of non-refoulement.

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

“Irregular migration status does not diminish the obligation to respect the principle of non-refoulement,” the experts said.

“Given longstanding evidence that DPRK nationals who leave the country without authorisation, or seek protection abroad, may face severe punishment upon return,” they said, the reported mass returns “raise questions about whether their protection needs were adequately assessed before repatriation”.

‘Persistent obstacles’

The experts said “persistent obstacles continue to impede efforts to obtain information” on the fate and whereabouts of returnees – including those in political prison camps – as well as those who remain at risk of forcible 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 for assessing their international protection needs”.

They also called on Pyongyang to disclose the fate and whereabouts of returnees.

About the experts

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

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