By Lee Chi-dong
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (Yonhap) -- A U.S. congressional panel announced Tuesday that it will convene an emergency hearing next week on China's policy to repatriate North Korean defectors, reflecting growing concerns here over the issue that has often affected Seoul-Beijing ties.

   "Despite its obligations under international law, the Chinese government maintains an agreement with North Korea to repatriate North Korean refugees," the Congressional Executive Commission on China said on its Web site. "In recent weeks, international human rights advocates and organizations have called on the Chinese government not to repatriate dozens of North Korean refugees currently detained in China."

   Activists and South Korean lawmakers say around 30 North Koreans who recently fled to China have been caught by local authorities and face repatriation to their homeland, where they will apparently face harsh punishment.

   Rep. Park Sun-young of the conservative opposition Liberty Forward Party has been staging a hunger protest outside the Chinese Embassy in Seoul since last week.

   The move by the congressional commission shows that the sensitive issue is drawing keen attention in Washington as well.

   The commission said the hearing Monday will "address the current predicament of North Korean refugees who have been detained by Chinese authorities in recent weeks."

   Witnesses include Suzanne Scholte, head of the Defense Forum Foundation and the North Korea Freedom Coalition, Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director at the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, and former North Korean refugees in China.

   "Witnesses will discuss the factors driving North Koreans to flee to China. Witnesses will also address the legality of China's forced repatriations of North Koreans and relevant humanitarian concerns," the commission said.

   Meanwhile, a group of human rights activists here plans to hold a protest rally in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington later this week.

   lcd@yna.co.kr
leechidong@gmail.com
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