The Defectors Keep Coming

Three North Koreans have infiltrated the DMZ to seek asylum in South Korea.

Three apparent defectors from North Korea were found on Friday morning, two in the West Sea and one in Gangwon Province, a day after a show of inter-Korean unity marking the fifth anniversary of the June 15 Joint Declaration came to an end in Pyongyang. Police and military officials are investigating how the three crossed the DMZ and whether they intended to defect.

I wonder if this isn’t the beginning of new trend for defections. With the crackdown in China and South Korea doing everything possible to stop defections at foreign embassies the defectors may now be trying to go straight to South Korea. Once in South Korea the government cannot kick them out.

I’m also concerned about the security of the DMZ if people are getting through like this. In addition I’m kind of concerned what would happen if the ROK Army did see some defectors trying to penetrate the DMZ. Would they shoot them to prevent future defections? I hope not. What would they do if North Korean soldiers were shooting at defectors trying to cross? Would they fire back at the North Koreans or let the Norks cross and grab the defectors? If this is a building trend this could lead to some real potential border problems in the future.