Every year, thousands of North Koreans flee to China in search of a better life. Some try to leave permanently as they seek freedom or flee religious persecution, and others cross the border in search of jobs or food so they can return and support their starving families in North Korea. However, reaching China does not mean freedom for refugees, since China has an agreement with North Korea to forcibly repatriate all refugees. Since leaving North Korea is a capital offense, China's policy essentially sends refugees to their death. Thus, North Korean refugees who are in China try to escape to a safe third country where they can gain asylum. Please ask the leaders of Mongolia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos to grant asylum to North Korean refugees, and make their country a safe haven for these refugees.
We, the undersigned, wish to draw your attention to the plight of the North Korean people. The North Korean people are severely malnourished, they lack the most basic of medical supplies, and they are deprived of numerous political, economic, and religious freedoms. The only way they can live in peace and prosperity is to live outside of North Korea. That is where you can help.
You can provide safety and refuge to North Korean refugees, and offer asylum to any who seek it. You can be those who rise up and provide help to North Korean refugees. You can allow North Korean refugees to live in freedom within your country. In these ways, you can help resolve this refugee crisis.
This is an international problem, and it requires an international solution. We hope that you will be an important part of that solution. Thank you.
