By Casey Lartigue Jr.
North Korean refugees went by seven levels throughout Donald Trump’s first presidential administration. Stage 1, Trump shocked North Korean refugees along with his “fire-and-fury” rhetoric, publicly threatening and mocking North Korea’s dictator. Some North Korean refugees feared struggle, however others had been heartened to see somebody talking with language Kim Jong-un might perceive. As one refugee gleefully advised me: “I wager Kim Jong-un cannot sleep peacefully with Trump threatening him so straight.”
Stage 2, Trump highlighted a North Korean refugee throughout his 2018 State of the Union handle and met with a number of North Korean refugees in individual. This visibility supplied hope that Trump would possibly really care concerning the plight of North Koreans.
Then, Stage 3 raised expectations, as Trump’s “most strain” strategy led some refugees to invest that Kim Jong-un’s regime would possibly quickly collapse.
However in Stage 4, disappointment set in with underwhelming summits, reward from Trump to the North Korean dictator, and information of letter exchanges between the 2 leaders. In Stage 5, reconciliation, some North Korean refugees publicly criticized Trump’s strategy, however some whispered he might have a strategic various. Stage 6, acceptance, recognizing that little had modified regardless of Trump’s daring gestures, robust discuss and direct engagement with Kim Jong-un. Then, Stage 7, nothing, and Trump was unelected in 2020.
There have been some important momentary achievements, as Kim Jong-un fired off fewer missiles and froze nuclear assessments, however regardless of the conferences with Kim and North Korean refugees, had been there any long-term concrete positive aspects when it comes to diplomacy, coverage and human rights in North Korea through the Trump administration?
Trump is again after his defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump 2.0 has the chance to maneuver past symbolic gestures and create lasting change. Whereas worldwide focus typically highlights China’s position within the pressured repatriation of North Korean escapees, Western nations and leaders, together with Trump 1.0, also needs to be criticized. Earlier than COVID-19, they restricted North Koreans’ capacity to resettle freely. Throughout Trump 1.0, the U.S. admitted fewer than 20 North Korean refugees. From 2017 to 2019, solely 12 North Korean refugees had been admitted, and in 2020, that quantity dropped to only one.
Trump 1.0 met with North Korean refugees, which is important, as I don’t recall any public conferences by earlier presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, or Invoice Clinton with North Korean refugees. However can Trump 2.0 go additional — so greater than 20 North Korean refugees can immigrate to the US throughout Trump 2.0?
The present asylum course of provides candidates just one shot to decide on a secure nation, with restricted details about their choices. Refugees escape from North Korea’s darkness into the unknown. With a six-month grace interval earlier than making use of for particular visas to the U.S., they will have time to be taught concerning the world and their choices. An government order in Trump’s first month might flip these symbolic gestures into actual motion, welcoming their authorized immigration to the US.
Second, within the different course, Trump 2.0 might raise the ban prohibiting Individuals from touring to North Korea. The ban was established after the tragic case of Otto Warmbier and is renewed yearly. Having personally met Otto Warmbier’s household, I perceive the devastating impression his story has had and the ache his family members proceed to endure. Nevertheless, that tragedy mustn’t limit the liberty of others who want to make their very own journey choices. By lifting the journey ban, Trump might restore Individuals’ freedom to make their very own selections, respecting particular person liberty even when these selections carry dangers.
Banning Individuals from visiting North Korea echoes the restrictive nature of North Korea’s insurance policies and in addition creates an ironic state of affairs: if a North Korean citizen escapes to the U.S. and turns into an American citizen, they’d be prohibited by America from returning to North Korea.
Third, Trump 2.0 might pursue a direct and private strategy by assembly with North Korean refugees once more. Particularly, Trump 2.0 might host North Korean refugee authors who’ve documented their tales in print. This visibility might spotlight human rights abuses whereas including credibility to U.S. coverage.
As an replace, Ji Seong-ho, the North Korean refugee featured throughout Trump’s 2018 State of the Union handle, is now learning English in my group and getting ready to change into a public speaker in English.
Trump 1.0 was outlined by high-level diplomacy that ended with out lasting agreements, symbolic gestures towards North Korean refugees whereas accepting fewer as immigrants, and limiting the liberty of Individuals to journey. Trump 2.0 can open the door for North Korean refugees to resettle within the U.S., restore the liberty of Individuals to journey to North Korea and amplify the tales of refugees to focus on human rights abuses in North Korea.
Casey Lartigue Jr. (CJL@alumni.harvard.edu) is the co-founder of Freedom Audio system Worldwide with Lee Eun-koo; and co-author with Han Music-mi of her memoir “Greenlight to Freedom: A North Korean Daughter’s Seek for Her Mom and Herself.”
