Half of N. Korean escapees in Thailand hoping to go to U.S.

More than half of the North Korean defectors currently detained in Thailand wish to go the United States for asylum, a South Korean pastor helping them said Sunday.

"At present, 101 North Koreans are in a Thai refugee camp nearby Bangkok, and 175 others are in a prison. They underwent or are waiting for interviews with the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)," Yoo Chung-jong, who inspected the facilities last week, told Yonhap News Agency. Late last month, 175 North Koreans hiding at a house with the help of South Korean missionaries were arrested by Thai police.

They sneaked into the Southeast Asian nation, hoping to take refuge in third countries.

Thailand has recently emerged as a major destination for North Korean escapees seeking temporary shelter before coming to South Korea, as Bangkok has been relatively lenient toward them in comparison with China and other neighboring nations.

"They should be given full information on advantages and disadvantages they would have when choosing South Korea or the U.S.

as their final destination, and full autonomy in making a final decision," Yoo said. The pastor, who is active in the U.S., claimed that he had confirmed from ranking U.S. officials that their government is ready to accept North Korean defectors according to the North Korean Human Rights Act whatever their numbers are.

Legislated in 2004, the act allocates $24 million a year to help people fleeing the oppressive Pyongyang regime, and provides for the U.S. administration to accept some of these North Koreans into the U.S. Of the refugees, some 80-90 women and children were housed in a room with a floor space of only about 30 pyeong (roughly 100 square meters), and some of them contracted tuberculosis or a skin disease, Yoo added.

Meanwhile, six North Korean defectors and a South Korean activist, Kim Hee-tae, were arrested Friday by police in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, Kim's confidant, only identified by his family name Bang, said Sunday.

The defectors are a six-month-old baby, a pregnant woman and four other females in their 20s-30s, Bang said.

Thai police are refusing the defectors' release, saying they should undergo court procedures, Bang added.

Seoul, Sept. 3 (Yonhap News)