Defectors speak out on Ivanka Trump calling off meeting with North Korea escapees

Ivanka Trump claps while watching the third heat of the four-man bobsled competition final at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Sunday. / Yonhap

Casey Lartigue Jr., co-founder of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center, compiled these statements from interviews with the refugees.

Questions

1. What do you think about Vice President Pence meeting with North Korean refugees?

2. What do you think about Ivanka Trump's decision not to meet NK refugees?

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Ji young, female, arrived in South Korea in November 2017

I am thankful that Trump and Pence took time to meet refugees; it was really encouraging to see. In contrast, the South Korean government is doing everything it can to cozy up to the North Korean regime, treating them like royalty, but not having any public meetings with defectors to balance things out.

I recently arrived in South Korea. If there is reunification soon, I could be in danger because South Korea may be willing to embrace reunification under North Korea's terms. Because of the way South Korea has catered to North Korea, it is important for the U.S. to pressure the North Korean regime.

I just heard about Ivanka Trump coming here. She doesn't have real power, so I guess that her role is to improve relations with the South Korean government, which may be upset that the U.S. has highlighted the refugees while North Korea was here.

Han, female, arrived in South Korea in 2015.

This is fantastic. I have been disappointed that the South Korean media has had such positive coverage about North Koreans visiting here. The most shocking thing was to hear the South Korean media presenting Kim Jong-Un's sister as being humble, because she was wearing simple clothes.

It isn't true, she is a thief, even the clothes she wears are possible because her family exploits North Koreans. She doesn't respect the individual rights of North Koreans. The South Korean media is spreading North Korean propaganda, judging her on superficial things. She is from a family of murderers, we can't forget about that.

That's why Pence's visit was so important, even comforting. It lets me and other refugees know that the U.S. will remember us when it is dealing with North Korea. Pence meeting with refugees here in South Korea was a good chance to remind the world that North Korea is a murderous regime that brutalizes its own people.

Even the South Korean government can't deny the fact, with photos of the US Vice-President meeting directly with people who escaped from North Korea. It is OK that Ivanka doesn't meet with refugees. She has her own role. And the U.S. has also shown its priorities because both Trump and Pence have already met with them.

If she was the only person who was visiting or dealing with South Korean, then we might judge her visit in isolation. But Trump and Pence have already proven their priorities within the last month. The U.S. strategy won't change just because of this third meeting. Personally, I wish I could meet her. She is a model who has become a politician. I would like to meet her, to talk to her.

Sookhee, female, arrived in South Korea in 2010

I have concerns on all sides, I hope it makes sense. I worry that Trump and Pence are being provocative, I'm not sure about their intentions. It does seem they are pouring cold water on negotiations between North and South Korea.

I do worry about the South Korean government being so determined to include North Korea in the Olympics. It may have been concerned about North Korea setting off a missile, but the North already does that all the time.

The invitation to North Korea has probably led to a crackdown on the border and anyone watching foreign media that could present negative information about North Korea's participation in the Olympics. North Korea does not want the U.S. to take credit for anyone escaping now -- it would be really embarrassing.

I think Ivanka is not really interested in the North Korean issue. I wouldn't mind meeting her, just out of curiosity because she's female, so beautiful, and people around the world want to know more about her. But I think we would not have a long conversation about North Korea because she probably isn't really interested.

Sam, male, arrived in South Korea in 2006.

It was really good to see the meetings that refugees had with Trump and Pence, this is a positive development. Pence's concern is not a personal issue, this is from the U.S. perspective.

Pence or Trump may be more open to immigration by North Korean refugees after this, such as allowing or helping North Korean refugees to flee directly from China to the U.S. Because of Pence and Trump meeting with refugees, NK human rights have gained more attention internationally.

Ivanka may not meet refugees publicly, perhaps she will be more low-key in meeting them privately. It is OK, we can't expect leaders and representatives from the U.S. government to meet refugees every time they come to South Korea.

Pence and Trump have already shown interest in NK human rights, plus Pence ignored Kim Jong-Un's sister, but met refugees. It shows that the U.S. considers refugees to be a priority in its strategy, which seems to be a new policy. Ivanka's role may be to soften things somewhat.

I have heard some people criticizing refugees who met Trump and Pence, saying they are being used. On the other hand, people are trying to say that it is a big deal that Ivanka is not meeting refugees.