Choi's Battle for Freedom: A Defector's Struggle with Canadian Immigration
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) declined to issue her the electronic travel authorization (eTA) she applied for on November 4, stating she must first provide police records related to her forced relocation from China to North Korea.
Choi explained in a letter that providing these records would be impossible given North Korea’s oppressive regime, which would prevent her from access to these records by law.
“Any legal proceedings or police records from my time in North Korea are completely inaccessible to me as a civilian. (North Korea) operates under an authoritarian system where arrests, detentions and judicial proceedings frequently occur without due legal process” she explains in the letter.
A Liberal MP’s office lobbied IRCC on Thursday and Friday, prompting the department to agree to review her case. However, she had to cancel her Friday flight to Toronto from Paris and instead returned to Seoul. She ultimately received the permit on Monday.
“I understand that this ridiculous happening occurred due to the oversight and indiscretion of the frontline officials of the (IRCC), but if I may say so, I felt terribly embarrassed and deeply, deeply disappointed when I was denied boarding the scheduled airplane … I was regarded, in effect, as a person with a criminal record”, Choi stated in her letter to Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
Choi planned to include a community event, as well as meeting with Toronto MP Ali Ehsassi, and an interview with the National Post. Kyung Lee, head of the Toronto-based Council for Human Rights in North Korea and organizer of the trip, expressed shock and disbelief over her failure to secure an eTA in time.
“She was the victim, not the criminal,” he said of the demand for records of her arrests. “This is a very important matter, a serious matter — how to treat (defectors) in Canada. If this news became known to Korean society … they would be very upset,” Kyung Lee states, expressing his disbelief.
By Friday, closer to her flight to Paris to Toronto, the eTA had not been approved. James Hwang, an assistant to MP Ehsassi, informed Lee that after “multiple calls and emails,” he was able to have her application cleared by the Canada Border Services Agency. However, IRCC was still “reviewing the case” and coordinating with the Canadian embassy in Paris.
Choi’s Harrowing Journey: A Dangerous Escape from North Korea
Choi’s escape to North Korea, like that of many others who have escaped, represents a story of resilience and survival. In the late 1990s, she attempted to flee multiple times into China. During one escape, she married and had a child but was eventually captured by Chinese authorities and forcibly sent back, according to a profile by Taiwan’s Central News Agency.
Imprisoned in North Korean re-education camps, she endured torture and inhumane conditions. At one point, she was left for dead in a warehouse filled with prisoners’ bodies but managed to crawl her way out. On her fifth attempt, she successfully reached South Korea, where she later founded the North Korean Incarcerated Victims Families Association.
She has previously traveled to countries such as Taiwan and the U.K. to share her experiences and visited Geneva last week to participate in the UN Human Rights Council’s “periodic review” of North Korea.
As a South Korean citizen, Choi is not required to obtain a visa to enter Canada but must secure an eTA. According to the IRCC website, the $7 eTA fee typically results in approval via email within a short amount of time
Choi and others have also drawn attention to what seems to be effort by China to locate and repatriate defectors to North Korea. However, international human rights law prohibits countries from deporting individuals who would face torture or other cruel and inhuman treatment.
Building a New Home: How Canada Can Support North Korean Defectors
North Korean defectors face immense challenges in their quest for freedom, including dangerous escapes, the threat of repatriation, and the difficult process of resettlement. Canada has taken significant steps to assist these individuals, but there remains room for enhanced support and involvement.
North Korean defectors often face difficulties in obtaining necessary travel authorizations, as evidenced by cases like Choi's. Additionally, the complex and dangerous journeys many undertake to escape highlight the need for better structured support systems.
Advocates have called for Canada to expand its efforts by increasing the number of refugees accepted and streamlining the resettlement process. Enhancing awareness and understanding of the unique challenges faced by North Korean defectors can lead to more effective policies and support mechanisms.
Canadian citizens play a crucial role in the success of resettlement initiatives. By participating in sponsorship programs, volunteering with organizations like HanVoice, or advocating for policy changes, individuals can make a tangible difference in the lives of North Korean defectors seeking safety and a new beginning.
In conclusion, while Canada has made commendable strides in supporting North Korean defectors, continued efforts and increased engagement are essential. By building on existing programs and fostering a welcoming environment, Canada can offer a beacon of hope to those fleeing oppression.
References:
Blackwell, Tom. “Federal Officials Blocked North Korea Defector from Entering Canada | National Post.” National Post, PostMedia, 13 Nov. 2024, nationalpost.com/news/canada/canada-blocked-north-korea-defector.
Lee, Grace J.M. “It’s Time for Canada to Jumpstart Efforts to Support Families Fleeing North Korea.” Policy Options Politiques, Policy Options Politiques, 19 Nov. 2023, policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/august-2023/north-korean-refugee-sponsorships/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
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