When a group of "asylum-seekers," suspected as nationals from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), attempted to break into the consulate grounds of the Republic of Korea (ROK) in Beijing on Monday, Washington's human rights policy towards Pyongyang was seemingly working. 

According to the ROK's Yonhap News Agency, three of the 18, two women and a boy, succeeded with an escort from the ROK's consulate staff.

This was the latest in a string of attempts by the "asylum-seekers."

It is common that "asylum-seekers" from the DPRK have from time to time attempted to gain passage to the ROK via diplomatic compounds in China since 2002, but US new policy towards the DPRK will certainly have a great part to play in attempts of this kind from now on.

US President George W. Bush signed a law last Monday to promote human rights in the country he branded as part of "an axis of evil," offering humanitarian aid to its citizens and refugees, and making them eligible for seeking asylum in the United States.

The law, entitled The North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004, is intended to help promote human rights and freedom in the DPRK, according to the White House.

Washington will spend an annual US$24 million till 2008 on humanitarian aid to citizens and refugees of the DPRK, and US$4 million on expanding American radio broadcasts into the country to promote democracy and human rights.

Certainly, the legislation will pave the way for those North Koreans who want to flee their country to seek refugee status in the United States.

Pyongyang severely condemned the act as "Washington hostility" and said its passage destroyed the foundation for continuous talks with the US government.

However, the Bush administration has not refrained from further offending Pyongyang.

The United States has long branded Pyongyang as a "dictatorship" regime known for its lack of democracy and bad human rights records.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell echoed previous accusations that the DPRK is a "terrorist state" with "no respect for human rights" during his tour to Japan.

The US stance will certainly further exacerbate the deep hostility between Washington and Pyongyang. Worse, the US bill on the North's human rights will make the already complicated issue of DPRK refugee more complicated.

(China Daily October 27, 2004)