Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PHNOMPENH2072
2006-11-22 10:16:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Phnom Penh
Cable title:  

NORTH KOREAN REFUGEE HELD IN MONDOLKIRI PROVINCE

Tags:  PREF PHUM PREL KN VM CB 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6210
OO RUEHHM
DE RUEHPF #2072/01 3261016
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 221016Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7627
INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK PRIORITY 1950
RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI PRIORITY 3978
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL PRIORITY 0598
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH PRIORITY 0066
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1558
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PHNOM PENH 002072 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS; BANGKOK FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2016
TAGS: PREF PHUM PREL KN VM CB
SUBJECT: NORTH KOREAN REFUGEE HELD IN MONDOLKIRI PROVINCE


Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Margaret McKean; Reason 1.4 (b) (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PHNOM PENH 002072

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS; BANGKOK FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/22/2016
TAGS: PREF PHUM PREL KN VM CB
SUBJECT: NORTH KOREAN REFUGEE HELD IN MONDOLKIRI PROVINCE


Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Margaret McKean; Reason 1.4 (b) (d)


1. (C) Summary. The Cambodian press reported on November
22 that Cambodian provincial police in Mondolkiri province
arrested a North Korean man in the past week. According to
press reports, a senior Cambodian police official confirmed
the arrest, added the North Korean was deported to Vietnam
the same day and refused further comment. However, two Amcit
NGO workers based in Mondolkiri contacted the Embassy on
November 22, claiming that the North Korean man was still in
Mondolkiri and is due to be transported to Phnom Penh very
shortly. The two men met the North Korean, who provided them
with bio data and a request for assistance. The South Korean
Ambassador has told us that they are working closely with the
RGC to quietly move him to South Korea. His wife reportedly
was arrested in Ho Chi Minh City on November 9; UNHCR will
look into what might be done concerning her case. Church
World Services (CWS) is aware of the plight of the North
Korean and his wife. End Summary.

North Korean Enters Mondolkiri
--------------


2. (C) On November 22, the Cambodia Daily reported that a
North Korean man entered Cambodia's Mondolkiri province from
Vietnam in the past week, and was arrested by Cambodian
provincial police on immigration charges. According to a
senior police source contacted by the Daily, the North Korean
was deported to Vietnam. Deputy National Police Commissioner
Sok Phal was quoted as saying the provincial authorities made
no attempt to determine his identity, nationality, or
possible claim to political refugee status; rather, as the
individual lacked a passport and any documentation, he was
returned to Vietnam. Provincial police sources provided only
sketchy information, claiming that they were unaware of the
case. The provincial coordinator for the human rights group
ADHOC, Sam Sarin, allegedly indicated that he had heard about
the case from local police officials, but had no detailed
information.


3. (C) Also on November 22, two Amcit NGO workers based in

Mondolkiri contacted the Embassy through the human rights NGO
LICADHO, and Pol/Econ Chief met them at LICADHO's offices.
Recently arrived from Mondolkiri, the two men explained that
a relative of a senior provincial police official had alerted
them to the arrest of the North Korean, and invited them to
meet with him at a local restaurant where the North Korean is
reportedly staying. The two men did meet with him, and the
North Korean asked for assistance to come to the United
States. The two men provided Pol/Econ Chief with a note from
the North Korean that included bio data for himself and his
wife, and a request to go to the United States. The two men
also provided photos of the North Korean to verify that he
was still in Mondolkiri. They explained that the Cambodia
Daily article was inadvertently due to their contact with
Daily reporter Eric Wasson, who was vacationing in Mondolkiri
at the time. The two men mentioned the North Korean to
Wasson, and asked for advice as to how best assist him, and
which NGOs to contact.


4. (C) However, both men denied that Cambodian officials
have deported the North Korean; they said that their contact
with the Mondolkiri police told them that provincial
officials were under instruction to keep him in Mondolkiri
until after the South Korean President departed the country.
Following ROK President Roh's departure, he is to be sent to
Phnom Penh (nfi). The two Amcits added that they have
emailed friends at Church World Services in Washington, DC
regarding this case.


5. (C) The Ambassador contacted his South Korean
counterpart, who confirmed that the North Korean was still in
Cambodia, and that his government would be working quietly
with the RGC to ensure that the North Korean is moved to
South Korea. Pol/Econ Chief met with UNHCR director
Thamrongsak Meechubot, who was not surprised that the
Cambodian government had told the press that the North Korean
had been returned to Vietnam. He noted the RGC provided a
similar story several years ago when several North Koreans
were detained in Phnom Penh; the group was actually sent to
South Korea. Pol/Econ Chief provided the biodata of the
wife, and Thamrongsak said that he would confer with UNHCR
colleagues as to what UNHCR might do to assist in her case.

Comment
--------------


PHNOM PENH 00002072 002 OF 002



6. (C) The news story indicated that the North Korean had
expressed interest in going to South Korea, not the United
States. We suspect that his note requesting assistance to go
to the United States was likely more a function of the two
NGO workers being American. His liberal treatment in
Mondolkiri by provincial authorities coupled with the ROK
President's just-completed visit to Cambodia suggested that
the RGC planned to be cooperative on his eventual
resettlement outside Cambodia. The ROK Ambassador's
assurances that they are quietly engaged with the RGC on this
case are consistent with the good working relationship that
the South Korean government has established with the
Cambodian government concerning North Korean refugees.


MUSSOMELI