Washington, D.C.– Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) released the following statement in response to Communist China’s plans to repatriate refugees to the oppressive regime in North Korea and the protest by South Korean National Assemblywoman Park Sum-Young. 

“Once again, the North Korean regime has promised to ‘discuss’ the halt of its nuclear weapons activities.  After nearly two decades of empty promises during the previous administrations, we must not be duped again.  The real outcomes of these endless talks have been no change on North Korea's nuclear ambitions, nor any progress on human rights.  North Korea remains just as committed to developing a nuclear weapons program and abusing the fundamental rights of its citizens as ever."

“Today, Communist China is preparing to forcibly repatriate North Korean refugees to the brutal, repressive regime in North Korea.  If returned, these refugees will face certain torture and possible death.  It is unconscionable that anyone, even the soulless Politburo of Communist China, would decide to subject these brave refugees to such inhumanity.

“I have seen that a courageous legislator from South Korea, Rep. Park Sun-young of South Korea’s Liberty Forward Party, has been on a hunger strike for more than a week to call attention to Communist China’s plan to forcibly repatriate those North Korean refugees.  She has spearheaded an effective “Save Our Friend” campaign to draw international attention to this pending travesty, and has introduced a resolution signed by twenty-nine South Korean lawmakers condemning Communist China’s plans to repatriate the refugees. 

“I urge my parliamentarian colleagues around the world, at every opportunity, to raise the precarious plight of refugees who attempt to flee the dark tyranny of the North Korean regime. 

The penalties for leaving are unfathomable to most of us who live in freedom, but they range from torture, execution of the refugee and his family ‘within three generations,’ and impressment into human trafficking. 

“For North Koreans who attempt to escape their peninsular prison, the consequences of forced repatriation are too horrific for any nation – even Communist China – to facilitate.”