InfoAnda - NKorean loggers in Russia making defection bids

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Military plane crashes in Kazakhstan, 22 people killed: agency | | 25 December 2012
Retaliation fears stalk Nigeria city after clashes | | 10 March 2010
Iran says to make own fuel for research reactor | | 8 January 2011

Iran opposition says 79 arrested in protests | | 2 March 2011

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : NKorean loggers in Russia making defection bids

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam NKorean loggers in Russia making defection bids By KWANGTAE KIM,Associated Press Writer - 2 hours 36 minutes ago Send IM Story Print SEOUL, South Korea – The North Korean's note, scrawled in pen, was simple: "I want to go to South Korea. Why? To find freedom. Freedom of religion, freedom of life." The ex-logger, on the run from North Korean authorities, handed the note over to a South Korean missionary in the Russian city of Vladivostok last week in hopes it would lead to political asylum. Just before he was to meet Thursday with the International Organization for Migrants, a team of men grabbed him, slapped handcuffs on him and drove off, rights activists in Moscow said Friday. He was spirited away to the eastern port city of Nakhokda, where he is sure to be handed back over to North Korean officials and repatriated to his communist homeland, activists said in Seoul. Police in Vladivostok refused to comment. A senior South Korean diplomat in Vladivostok said he had no information. Officials from the U.S. consulate in Vladivostok could not be reached for comment. The 51-year-old would be the third North Korean logger in Russia in a week to make a bid for asylum. On March 9, two other North Koreans who had fled their jobs as loggers managed to get into the South Korean consulate in Vladivostok. Russia's RIA Novosti news agency reported last week that two North Koreans climbed a fence, ran past the guards and entered the consulate, saying they wanted political asylum. ITAR-Tass carried a similar report. The incidents focused attention on the precarious existence of tens of thousands of North Koreans sent by the impoverished regime to work in neighboring Russia. Russian government figures from 2007 put the number of North Korean laborers at 32,600, most of them working in logging in the remote east. The Rev. Peter Chung, a Seoul-based activist, said there are about 40,000 North Korean loggers in Russia, but that some 10,000 of them have fled their work sites. Some are finding work as day laborers while others are in hiding as they try to map out how to win asylum in foreign diplomatic missions. North Korea has been exporting workers to make hard cash since natural disasters and mismanagement destroyed the country's economy in the 1990s. Laborers have been sent to Russia, Mongolia, eastern Europe and elsewhere, South Korea's Unification Ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-joo said Friday. The logger seized Thursday in Vladivostok represents a grim picture of life as a lumberjack in remote Russian outposts, according to Chung, head of the Seoul rights group Justice for North Korea. The man, surname Kim, told activists he first went to Russia in October 1997, leaving behind a wife and two daughters, and worked there for four years. He went back to Russia in 2006, said Kim Hi-tae of the International Network of North Korea Human Rights Activists in Seoul. The North Korean described the conditions as unbearable. His government took half his meager wages, while the North Korean company operating the logging camp took 35 percent. He kept just 15 percent _ about $60 a month _ an arrangement that rendered him "virtually a slave," he told activists. He eventually fled the logging camp, taking odd jobs to survive. He also became a Christian, Chung and Kim Hi-tae said, which could draw severe punishment, even execution, back home. The successful asylum bid of two other former North Korean loggers inspired Kim to make a similar attempt, Chung said. He turned up at a safe house that day, saying he wanted help seeking asylum. The missionary asked for a statement, so he scribbled down his name, date of birth and hometown in Korean. "Wife, two daughters. Sent to Russia in October 1997," he wrote, using the North Korean spelling for "Russia." He dated it March 9, 2010, and signed his name with an emphatic period in his characteristic North Korean script. The note was obtained by The Associated Press after being scanned and sent by e-mail from Vladivostok to Seoul. Activists asked that he be identified by his surname only to protect his family. The group Human Rights in Russia said on its Web site that a North Korean named Kim who had sought help from the International Organization for Migrants was waiting in a car outside a Vladivostok hotel to speak to rights officials. "At this time, another car pulled up to the hotel. Several men in civilian dress got out of it and told the driver of the car that his 'passenger is a criminal,'" the group's statement said. They put handcuffs on Kim, sat him in their car and drove off. It was unclear who took him, and where they went, it said. The taxi driver who said he took Kim to the hotel on Thursday morning, told AP from Vladivostok on Saturday that he and Kim were waiting in the car for about 10 minutes, but suddenly about five to six Russian men came and put handcuffs on Kim and took him away in their car. The taxi driver only identified himself as Alexander. A tapped phone call to the South Korean or U.S. consulate may have alerted authorities to Kim's plan, the Seoul activists said. Kim is believed to have been sent to Nakhodka, a port city not far from North Korea, for possible repatriation, said Chung and Kim Hi-tae. On Friday, Chung, Kim Hi-tae and dozens of rights activists and North Korean defectors, some wearing black hoods to conceal their identities, rallied near the Russian Embassy in central Seoul. They urged Moscow to immediately release the North Korean and to let the U.N. refugee agency interview him. Kim and other fugitive loggers "will definitely face political persecution if they are sent back home," Chung said. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Massive sandstorm turns Beijing's streets yellow Reuters - 29 minutes ago Thai protesters begin weekend march around capital AP - 1 hour 32 minutes ago Opposition "red shirts" try to win over Thai capital Reuters - 2 hours 8 minutes ago Yachting Team NZ draw first blood over Italians AFP - 2 hours 13 minutes ago North Korea sets date for parliament session AFP - 2 hours 21 minutes ago News Search Top Stories 'Red Shirts' take to streets to win over Thai capital British boy receives pioneering stem cell surgery US tanker bid war heats up with Airbus, Russia in wings Hollywood stars help prevent suicide after Twitter alert German tax authorities probe Credit Suisse clients, staff More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended McLaren launches new supercar US children get Playboy, not Bugs Bunny in cable mixup Bullock cancels London trip, film premiere called off Japan celebrates defeat of bluefin tuna trade ban Hollywood stars help prevent suicide after Twitter alert More Most Viewed » Chile quake moved Earth's axis, shortened days: scientist Experts confirm asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs 'Britain's Fritzl' raped daughters for over 25yrs Researchers back cancer-fighting properties of papaya Common weed-killer chemically castrates frogs: study More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos World Cup 2010 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Saturday, 20 March 2010
Mideast Quartet tells Israel to halt settlements
German tax authorities probe Credit Suisse clients, staff
Brazil surgical robot fixes heart in Latin America first
BA strike to go ahead after talks collapse
Rocket fired from Gaza at Israel: army
At least 200 killed as Sierra Leone mine collapses |
Palm shares plunge on weak forecast
Atom smasher reaches record energy levels: CERN
EU agrees to act to stop Iran jamming broadcasts, Internet
US military pushed for closure of CIA-Saudi website: report
Putin says Russia could sign up to Iran sanctions: RIA |
US Army worries about 'threat' from whistleblower website
Google to add Maya, Nahuatl languages to search engine
Owner Postpones Auction For "Sex" Website
Somali rebels join forces in cyberspace: U.N. report
Icahn Makes Hostile Takeover Bid For Lions Gate
Mexican police ask spirits to guard them in drug war |
Palm's survival questioned
Police Accidentally Raid House 50 Times ? And Counting
Ukraine's Yanukovich to repeal Bandera hero decree |
Ashley Tisdale, Alyson Michalka Sign On For CW Cheerleading Drama
Somali rebels join forces in cyberspace: U.N. report |
Palm Reports Q3 Loss, Analysts Cut Price Target To $0
Paralyzed Woman Takes 8th Floor Plunge
Zuma defends minister, demands spats end |
"The Last Song" Star Hallock Beals Talks New Movie And Miley Cyrus
US breaks up vast China, Malaysia smuggling ring
Hidden Camera Reveals Babysitter Abusing Infant
Top Colombian rebel gets 20 years prison in U.S
FIFA excludes Indonesia's World Cup bid
Obama says history is nigh on health care
Pakistan arrests halt UN contacts with Taliban
Dutch PM slams 'disgraceful' Srebrenica gay comments
The Economist not published in Thailand
Russia, US on 'brink' of new arms treaty: Clinton
Activists urge Australia to charge Japanese whalers
Japan PM hints at leaving disputed US base on Okinawa
NKorean loggers in Russia making defection bids
Net produces new generation of China activists
SKorea appeals to France over looted royal books
Trial starts in British teen's slaying in India
Bollywood, Hollywood join hands against piracy
Somali rebels join forces in cyberspace: U.N. report |
S.Korea rebuffs N.Korea threat to seize assets
Secrets unravel as "Breaking Bad" returns to TV
Losing the battle to keep female flesh off Afghan TV
Pakistani stocks, o/n rates flat; rupee firmer
German celebrity magazine admits fake interviews
Bharti to sell iPhone 3GS in India
Patti Smith to be honored by music industry
China warns US not to politicise yuan debate
Soviet space dogs blast-off to animated immortality
Street kids stage their own World Cup in South Africa
French makes inroads in Africa
Risque sex film arouses interest in Bollywood
Bollywood, Hollywood join hands against piracy
Court rules against Anna Nicole Smith in estate |
FCC kicks off cable-broadcaster review |
McLachlan to release first album in seven years |
Losing the battle to keep female flesh off Afghan TV |
Secrets unravel as Breaking Bad returns to TV |
Neil Young documentary captures raw energy of live show |
Sports endorsement firm eyes music world |
MySpace trail leads US police to teen burglar
New venture from Facebook co-founder to promote charity
Obama to Iran
Opposition red shirts try to win over Thai capital |
British boy receives pioneering stem cell surgery
US-TECH Summary
Supposed 'ETA terrorists' are just holidaymakers:report
New York food trucks turn to Twitter
Mousavi vows 'year of perseverance' against Iran regime
Israel strikes in Gaza after deadly rocket |
Albanian stalemate can hit EU ambitions: official
Black and white meets new technology at photo show
Gunmen block roads in Mexico's drug-plagued north |
'Red Shirts' take to streets to win over Thai capital
North Korea parliament to meet, Kim and cadres in focus |
YouTube creators cashed in big on sale to Google: documents
Serbia-Kosovo row overshadows EU-Balkans summit
U.S. eyes early summer for airwaves auction process
US tanker bid war heats up with Airbus, Russia in wings
Hollywood stars help prevent suicide after Twitter alert
Legal adviser to U.S. Haiti missionaries arrested |
Republican Leader Besieged After "Punk Staffers" Remark
High Number Of Student Suicides At Cornel University Causes Concern
Sanin wins Colombian conservative candidacy |
$940 Billion Democratic Healthcare Bill In Final Lap Ahead Of House Vote
Appeals Court Orders Federal Reserve To Release Bailout Details
U.S. Markets Dip On Global Concerns, Dow Snaps Winning Streak
US, Russia, will sign nuclear treaty in April: report
Year's biggest sandstorm turns Beijing sky orange
Obama reaches out to Iranian people
Thai protesters begin weekend march around capital
Opposition "red shirts" try to win over Thai capital
7th anniversary of Iraq War passes, little noticed
Music biz insiders say Sony-Jackson deal makes sense
Yachting Team NZ draw first blood over Italians
North Korea sets date for parliament session
Putin offers U.S. hints of support
Pakistan army chief leaves to attend talks in US
'Red Shirts' take to streets to win over Thai capital
Obama optimistic on weekend healthcare vote
Nigeria "moving on" from political crisis
NKorean loggers in Russia making defection bids
U.S. envisions troop surge in northern Afghanistan
Sandstorms blanket Beijing in yellow dust
Smartphones not enough for carriers at CTIA |
Japan marks 15th anniversary of subway gas attacks
New York food trucks turn to Twitter |
U.S. eyes early summer for airwaves auction process |
Pakistani c.bank buys 62.15 bln rupees of govt paper
Serial killings highlight Indonesian child abuse
India unexpectedly hikes rates a quarter point
SKorea vice fin min sees MSCI upgrade in H1-reports
South Korea national oil firm eyes Ghana's Jubilee
US to host 2011 APEC trade talks in Montana
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
'A dad like any other,' son says of drug lord Escobar
Bands explore promo potential of Chatroulette
Aretha Franklin does own thing with new album |
Music biz insiders say Sony-Jackson deal makes sense
Bands explore promo potential of Chatroulette |
"College" kid outdoes rap stars in digital sales
Childhood memories inspire new songs for Frampton |
Ellen, Web site give gay teen $30,000 in prom flap
Aretha Franklin does "own thing" with new album
Childhood memories inspire new songs for Frampton
McLachlan to release first album in seven years
US weighs more troops for north Afghanistan: official
British Airways strike grounds flights but passengers fly
Pope's shame and remorse over Irish child sex abuse |
Obama to Iran: U.S. offer of dialogue still stands |
Israeli troops kill Palestinian in W.Bank: medics |
Allawi edges ahead of PM again in Iraq election |
Swarm Of Bees Attack 3, Critically Injures 2 Women
U.N.'s Ban in West Bank pushes for peace talks |
India to get access to U.S. man on Mumbai attack |
Thousands rally against Putin, dozens detained |
Obama urges Senate action on finance reform
Nepal's Maoists say Koirala's death a blow to peace |
Indonesian Muslims protest Israeli settlement plan
New threat puts Hemet officers on heightened alert
Thai protesters' caravan wends through capital
US official: India to question US terror convict
Bloated lake haunts North Dakota town again
Elderly Man Calls 911 Before Killing Wife And Himself
Tokyo marks 15th anniversary of subway gas attack
Trendy Sushi Restraunt Accused Of Selling Whale Meat Closing
Clerics tell Filipino Muslims to reject Estrada
Cambodia to build memorial for slain journalists
Aust. state named disaster zone as cyclone nears
Thai protesters stage weekend march around capital
Veteran Nepal politician Koirala dies at age 86
Cambodia bans citizens from marrying South Koreans
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01