North Korean defectors seek political representation with new party in S Korea

rth Korean refugees have launched a political party, South-rth Unification Party in South Korea on February 18 with an aim to elevate voices of at least 33,500 defectors which are living in South and oppose peacemaking with Pyongyang. According to international reports, decision to set up a formal party is a sign that defectors are vouching for a more direct political role ahe of parliamentary elections scheduled in April. 

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More than a thousand rth Koreans h defected to South Korea in 2019 according to South Unification Ministry. Reports state that since South Korea is still at war with rth Korea because of 1950-53 Korean War ended without a peace accord, unification is still a nationwide goal in South. However, conciliation between two countries is w seen as a distant possibility. 

'Future of unification'

According to international reports, Kim Joo-il who is appointed as secretary-general of newly formed South-rth Unification Party said during launch that defectors are “always considered mirities and aliens”. He furr ded that “rth Korean defectors are w future of unification”. Furrmore, many people have w grown critical of South Korean President Moon-Jae-in's ministration which has been accused of igring defectors along with human rights in order to mend its relations with rth Korea. 

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Kim Yong-Tae, a lawmaker reportedly said during his congratulatory party speech that South Korean leer Kim Jong Un is “most afraid of is when dignity of rth Korean defectors is raised”. Furrmore, one of defector participants said that new party's criticism of rth Korean leer may raise concerns about publicly pledging support amid fear of endangering ir family back in rth. 

However, most senior defector, Thae Yong-ho, who was deputy ambassor at rth Korean embassy in London when he h defected from rth along with his wife, two sons in August 2016. He has also become most vocal critic of regime. new party's office reportedly said that Thae “is someone who risked his life for freedom”. He will w run for national assembly elections on April 15 for Liberty Korea, which is also country's main opposition party. 

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(With ncy inputs)