by Joseph Yun Li-sun

Mgr Lazarus You Heung-sik, bishop of Daejeon and president of the Episcopal Commission for the pastoral care of migrants and refugees, speaks to AsiaNews about North Korean refugees. “Our brothers on the other side of the border are like children: the future of our society. As Christ taught us, we must love them and help them.”

Seoul (AsiaNews) – More North Korean refugees “are arriving in the south because their living conditions are terrible,” said Mgr Lazarus You Heung-sik, bishop of Daejeon. Speaking to AsiaNews, the prelate, who chairs the Episcopal Commission for the pastoral care of migrants and refugees, said for him refugees are not a problem, as many of his compatriots believe. They are instead an opportunity that must be seized.

The refugee crisis is escalating as social conditions under Kim Jong-il’s regime grow worse and the North Korean economy gives signs of collapse, a fact corroborated by reports from a number of NGOs. For instance, in South Pyongan province, the authorities have opened more forced labour camps, where people are being almost worked to death.

Under these circumstances, many North Koreans are trying anything to escape. Many cross into China where they hide for a year to erase their tracks. After that, they move to South Korea. Since they speak the same language and have a similar physical appearance, they try to rebuild their lives and this in spite of social barriers and a certain disdain they find among South Koreans, many of whom are suspicions of them as possible spies.

However, “when dealing with these people, we must remember Christ’s teachings about brotherly love,” Mgr You said. “We must show respect and practice charity as much as possible because refugees are our future. We cannot treat them just as guests, welcomed or otherwise for they are an integral part of our life”.

Northern refugees are called ‘Saetomin’ and their presence in South Korea has become a major issue. “It is sad to say this but many South Koreans look upon them with suspicion, see as deserving to be at the bottom of the social ladder. It is even sadder when you consider that these people have gone through terrible experiences,” the prelate said. By contrast, “the Church helps them using all the means at its disposal. For us, they are neither immigrants nor refugees, but our brothers.”

Their stories “are often terrible,” Mgr You explained. “They endured deprivation and violence, and had to spend all their money to cross the border. For this reason, in our first aid centres, especially in Seoul and near the border, we do not ask anything. We take them in, take care of them and try to find jobs for them in South Korea.” This way of doing things has also a spiritual dividend. “Many of them convert to Christianity,” the prelate said.”

“It must be said that our Protestant brothers are very aggressive in their mission and work very hard trying to convert North Koreans,” he said. “We Catholics are however in one sense tougher because we want people who choose the Church of Christ to be at peace with themselves and fully conscious of their act”.

In any case, “the ‘Saeteomin’ are the future of our mission. When God wills it, the two Koreas will be reunified and we, thanks to them, will be in a better position to help our brothers in the North in evangelising and rebuilding their society. We must all get involved because like children, they are the country’s future.”

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