Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BANGKOK5693
2006-09-15 09:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:  

THAI GOVERNMENT PERMITS 16 NORTH KOREANS TO

Tags:  PREF PREL PGOV PHUM KNEP KS TH 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4129
PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHBK #5693 2580900
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 150900Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1643
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 2983
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 1286
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 2112
RUEHUM/AMEMBASSY ULAANBAATAR PRIORITY 0485
RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU PRIORITY 0414
RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI PRIORITY 2442
RUEHGZ/AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU PRIORITY 3577
RUEHGH/AMCONSUL SHANGHAI PRIORITY 0061
RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG PRIORITY 0333
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1716
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 005693 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

GENEVA FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2016
TAGS: PREF PREL PGOV PHUM KNEP KS TH
SUBJECT: THAI GOVERNMENT PERMITS 16 NORTH KOREANS TO
RESETTLE IN U.S.

REF: HIGGINS - ARVIZU EMAIL: 9/15/06

Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR SUSAN SUTTON, REASON 1.4 (B,D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 005693

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

GENEVA FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/15/2016
TAGS: PREF PREL PGOV PHUM KNEP KS TH
SUBJECT: THAI GOVERNMENT PERMITS 16 NORTH KOREANS TO
RESETTLE IN U.S.

REF: HIGGINS - ARVIZU EMAIL: 9/15/06

Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR SUSAN SUTTON, REASON 1.4 (B,D).


1. (C) On September 15, Deputy Refcoord spoke to MFA contact
and received confirmation that the RTG had approved the
processing of 16 interested NKs (ref e-mail). The RTG did
not have a specific list of 16 in mind and was prepared to
accept our proposal, as long as the list comprised NKs who
had arrived in Thailand by August 1. When informed that the
first 16 NKs on our list included two who had arrived on
August 2, he said that this would be acceptable.


2. (C) UNHCR with RefCoord Office coordination maintains a
running list of interested NKs. With RTG permission to
process 16 NKs, Deputy RefCoord assessed the list based on a
first-expressed-interest (and accordingly registered with
UNHCR) first-served basis, family unification and other
vulnerable considerations. Based on this selection
methodology, we recommend the following NKs for processing.
These are, as it turns out, chronologically the first 16 to
express interest.

BEGIN LIST:

From Bangkok Refugee Center and recently move to the YWCA,
(USG is paying housing costs).
1.Ms. Yang Eun Mi DOB 11 April 1986
2.Ms. Yang Eun Ju DOB 13 May 1984 (both are sisters)
3.Ms. Hong Myeong Hee DOB 06 July 1967

From Bangkok Christian Guest House, (USG is paying housing
costs).
4.Mr. Bek Eun Cheol DOB 03 Dec 1984
5.Mr. Ree Hyo Hak DOB 21 April 1952

From Immigration Detention Center.
6.Ms. Kim Weon Ok DOB 28 March 1977
7.Ms. Kim Seon Sook DOB 30 Oct 1961 (mother of sisters at
YWCA)
8.Ms. Kim Yeong Ok DOB 30 Oct 1965
9.Ms. Kim Byeol DOB 16 March 1990

From Korean NGO Housing
10.Ms. Kim In Soon DOB 21 April 1978
11.Ms. Choe Eun Jeong DOB 10 Jan 1981
12.Ms. Hyeon Ah DOB 26 June 1981
13.Ms. Oh Mi Ok DOB 27 Feb 1982
14.Ms. Kim Gwang Ok DOB 01 Aug 1979
15.Ms. Moon Ok Shil DOB 25 Feb 1976 (mother of daughter
below)
16.Ms. Shin Hyeon Mi DOB 06 May 2000


3. (C) Deputy RefCoord has requested UNHCR coordinate ROK
background vetting of the 16 NKs to begin next week.
Accordingly, the Overseas Processing Entity (OPE) will plan
pre-screening, medical and DHS interview schedules for rapid
processing. RefCoord office will continue to update PRM on
status of processing.


4. (C) Post appreciates Department efforts in obtaining RTG
permission to resettle NK refugees and remain hopeful that
the RTG will continue to permit U.S. resettlement of NK
refugees who expressed interest. We note that there are
currently 30 additional NKs in Bangkok who have expressed a
desire to be resettled in the US, a number that is steadily
increasing.


ARVIZU