THREE NORTH KOREANS APPROACH EMBASSY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 003226 SIPDIS SIPDIS GENEVA FOR RMA E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2016 TAGS: PREF PGOV PREL PHUM KN KS TH DPRK SUBJECT: THREE NORTH KOREANS APPROACH EMBASSY REF: STATE 58514 Classified By: MICHAEL HONNOLD, REFCOORD, REASON 1.4 (B,D). ¶1. (C) On May 27 at approximately 0900 local time, three women claiming to be North Koreans approached the Embassy. They were unaccompanied and spoke minimal English and no Thai. Using an Embassy emplopyee as interpreter, Refcoord, Deputy Refcoord, and Assistant RSO briefly interviewed the three persons. Embassy had no advance notice that the three were coming. ¶2. (C) The three said they had travelled to Bangkok on an overnight bus from Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. Upon arrival in Bangkok, they said they told a taxi driver in English that they wanted to go to the American Embassy. Two are sisters. When asked why they had approached the Embassy, all three responded that they want to go to the United States. The three persons are: Yang Un Mi, DOB April 11, 1098; Yang Un Ju, DOB May 13, 1984; and Hon Myong He, DOB July 6, 1967. ¶3. (C) Per reftel instructions, Refcoord referred the three persons to UNHCR. Refcoord contacted and told UNHCR about the cases, expressed the USG interest in them and indicated that the USG would be willing to process the three for U.S. resettlement if they expressed interest in that. Given their limited English and lack of Thai language ability, Refcoord accompanied the three to UNHCR in a taxi and passed them to a UNHCR official. They will be interviewed on May 26 by the South Korean seconded to UNHCR by the ROK Embassy. The interviews will determine if they are in fact North Koreans and want U.S. resettlement. The UNHCR official stated that if they are found to be North Koreans, they would immediately be issued person of concern letters. The UNHCR official stated he would inform the Embassy of the results of the interviews. If necessary, UNHCR will arrange for temporary housing of the individuals through an NGO partner. BOYCE