North Korea: Defector Security Coming Under Scrutiny

By Kim Yong Hun

It came to light yesterday that a North Korean defector has been arrested after the interception of plans to assassinate Park Sang Hak, the head of Fighters for Free North Korea, an organization which sends leaflets carrying anti-Kim regime messages into North Korea by balloon.

The South Korean National Intelligence Service (NIS) is questioning the defector, Ahn, a male in his 40s, who was arrested at a subway station. It is alleged that he possessed poisoned needles, allegedly intended to kill Park, with whom he had attempted to arrange a meeting.

As a result, NIS and the National Police Agency (NPA) have strengthened security for prominent defectors, dispatching full-time guards to protect individuals thought to be at particular risk. Since North Korea has been particularly sensitive about the activity of sending leaflets and has repeatedly threatened to attack the locations and people involved, Lee Min Bok, the director of another such group, 'Campaign for Helping North Korean in a Direct Way', is also among those being protected.

In general, the NPA and intelligence services believe the possibility of attempted terrorist assassinations is low, but cannot rule it out.

Therefore, there are 8 defectors under police guard, including Park and Lee. But security has been strengthened only for Park, at whom the most recent terrorist threat was directed; other defectors’ security is considerably laxer and less formal, which is raising questions about increased risk.

Lee Min Bok said, “The policeman who covers me works hard, but he didn’t know that a stranger once visited my place. There have been several times when I felt unsafe, honestly. I think the police should strengthen security more.”

However, one official connected to the issue told The Daily NK, “We are strengthening security for defectors and leaders of NGOs that criticize the North Korean regime, because the possibility of terrorism always exists. We are working especially rigorously to track down spies who pretend to defect so as to commit terrorist acts ordered by North Korea.”

But he admitted the limits of police powers, saying, “Although we are doing our best for their safety, there is a realistic limit for providing perfect security for them. Strengthening security is related to matters of manpower and budget, so it is more easily said than done.”

Choi Sung Ryong of Family Assembly Abducted to North Korea received 5 years of police protection between 2005 and 2009 after North Korea indicated he could be a target, but the police withdrew his guard because Choi’s face was known to the media, which they said reduced the possibility of terrorism.

However, Choi still receives threatening phone calls, and doesn't actually feel safe.

“I still get phone calls at home that threaten to kill me," he explained. "I can’t conclude that they were ordered by North Korea, but my family as well as I feel threatened whenever I get this kind of phone call.”