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North Korean couple gets refugee status in Israel
Itamar Eichner
Published: 06.02.11, 09:34
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14 Talkbacks for this article
1. It's a little strange that they did not go to south Korea
JO   (02.06.11)
a better option surely. Language, culture and democracy would have given them status there and a safe haven. Why they choose Israel is a huge question? and why leave their son in China?and with whom? Getting from China to South Korea is very easy. There it is a free and easy society- it is also much less dangerous than illegally entering Israel through Egypt with smugglers. I am sorry but the story for me does not add up. Something is amiss.
2. Yishai, you have just pissed off the Israeli Left
Tahl ,   Ashdod   (02.06.11)
Now they cannot whine anymore that we are 'racist' and 'intolerant' for the sufferings of refugees. We have proven that REAL political refugees are welcome here. And this way we can more easily proceed with kicking out all the illegal Eritrean infiltrators who turn our cities into slums.
3. #1 - Agree with you on all points...
Arthur ,   SF, CA   (02.06.11)
Have my own two versions: they were not farmers - rather worked in Korea's nuclear industry and (possibly) had contacts with the westtern world before; or - they are simply people who are fascinated with the Jewish history and religion.
4. To #1
Tal ,   Netanya   (02.06.11)
It actually isn't strange at all, the border between North Korea and South Korea is one of the most dangerous borders in the world, filled with border guards on both sides, mines, barbed wires, electric fences, and other means to stop movement. It is much safer and easier to pass through the Chinese border as it is much more relaxed and less scrutinized.
5. N.Korea gets refugee status in Israel
JUDAH THE LION   (02.06.11)
I salute Israel
6. In your face Kim Jong Il
Gregg ,   Haifa, IL   (02.06.11)
we know who you really are ! Bravo to Israel
7. N. Koran couple settles in Israel
judith ,   rishon letzion   (02.06.11)
One question: Why didn't they remain in China with their son?
8. #1 maybe theY read the bible
Marcel ,   Florida   (02.06.11)
...and decided to head to the Promised Land where Messiah is returning to set up his Rule minus the oppression.
9. #1, ah ignorant nonsense
Danny   (02.06.11)
Firstly, they don't have the same culture. They have come from an oppressive country with no computers, no mobiles, no banking. Secondly, due to differences in language and accent as soon as they open their mouth they are marked as North Koreans. In Israel they are just Koreans. Getting from China to South Korea is easy for Westerners. For North Koreans it is not. Most North Koreans don't come directly to South Korea from China they go through countries like Thailand. You utter ignorance of the topic is what was missing.
10. #7, easy answer
Danny   (02.06.11)
China is the one and only country which actively supports North Korea. It also has a policy of deporting back to N Korea any North Korean refugees where they are not only executed but their families sent to camps. They presumably could not get their son out and maybe their son can now pass for Chinese and is safer
11. #1, actually alot of NK refugees are religious
Danny   (02.06.11)
12. To #9 How many Jewish refugees did we
jason white ,   afula,israel   (02.06.11)
assimilate that came from dictatorships with no autos, cell phones or even enough food. The same with the language problem,but not accents, just different languages. There are church groups in s.korea that help these refugees. I do not mind them being here,if the wife does not start wearing a burka and they learn Yiddish,why not?
13. Two N. Koreans refugee status
NilsG ,   Helsingborg, Sweden   (02.06.11)
Two persons get refugee status and this is head line NEWS? C'mon, get real ...
14. #12, and SK has assimilated tens of thousands
Danny   (02.10.11)
of North Koreans but just like some Iraqi or Russian Jews felt more comfortable in the UK or US, this couple felt more comfortable in Israel, something that Israel should rightly feel proud of.
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