Kim Cheol Ok, who fled famine in North Korea years ago, remained hidden in China for decades. But her quest for freedom ended tragically when she was returned to her oppressive homeland after an attempt to escape, her family reveals. This incident is part of a larger trend of hundreds of North Koreans being sent back by China recently, human rights organizations report, warning of severe consequences such as imprisonment, torture, and even execution upon their return.

Kim Cheol Ok's family made the bold decision to bring attention to her disappearance after she vanished last year. Her sister, Kim Kyu-li, recounted a frantic phone call in which Kim Cheol Ok stated she would be sent back to North Korea within hours before abruptly hanging up. Since then, no one has been able to reach her.

It's estimated that thousands of North Koreans live illegally in China's northeastern border regions. While Beijing occasionally rounds them up, deportations were halted during the pandemic-related border closures. However, with the border now reopened, concerns grow over the fate of those who are forcibly repatriated to North Korea, where unauthorized border crossings are considered grave offenses punishable by harsh measures including death.

Kim Kyu-li, currently residing in London, emphasized the perilous conditions in North Korean prisons, where many inmates reportedly perish. Despite the gravity of the situation, neither China nor North Korea has officially acknowledged Kim Cheol Ok's case. Nevertheless, AFP verified her story through interviews with Kim Kyu-li, a lawyer advocating for the deportees, and an anonymous source in China familiar with the case, fearing reprisals from authorities.

In the wake of the border reopening, an AFP team attempted to visit the area but was barred from accessing four official crossing points by Chinese border police, citing the need for special permits. Despite this, they managed to observe nearby areas, witnessing North Korean guards stationed in watchtowers and behind barricades. The scene was sobering, with North Koreans seen engaging in agricultural work or transporting timber. In one town, the atmosphere was desolate, with only mournful music resonating from dilapidated buildings.

Public notices on the Chinese side cautioned against interacting with North Koreans and threatened severe penalties for harboring illegal migrants or engaging in smuggling activities. Meanwhile, across the border, a massive propaganda sign boasted, "My country is the best!" looming over a settlement, underscoring the stark contrast between the two nations.

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