China dismisses allegations of demanding all North Korean workers' return as "fiction"

Estimated 100,000 Chinese Workers Staying
North Korea-Russia Close Ties, Measures to Curb Tension Escalation

Chinese authorities recently expressed discomfort over the rapidly warming North Korea-Russia relations, reportedly demanding the immediate repatriation of all North Korean workers in China, according to claims made on the 9th.

The China-North Korea Friendship Bridge viewed from Dandong, Liaoning Province, near the China-North Korea border. On the other side of the bridge, Sinuiju, North Korea, can be seen. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Overseas dispatched workers, a major source of foreign currency for North Korea, are currently estimated to number up to 100,000 in China.

North Korea’s overseas labor dispatch is prohibited under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2397, adopted in 2017. However, China and Russia have faced international criticism for failing to fulfill their obligation to repatriate these workers by 2019.

During the border closures caused by COVID-19, many existing workers’ visas expired, and it is presumed that North Korea and China have been discussing related matters during this period. North Korea reopened its borders in August last year, after about three years and seven months of closure due to COVID-19.

North Korean authorities reportedly requested to sequentially repatriate workers in China and send new workers back to China. However, China is said to have maintained its stance on full repatriation for the time being.

As a result, there is an analysis that China has recently shown displeasure over the close diplomacy between North Korea and Russia and has begun efforts to discipline North Korea.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated, "Our government has been closely monitoring developments related to North Korea’s overseas labor dispatch," adding, "The dispatch of North Korean workers overseas and smuggling activities involving coal and refined oil through maritime transshipment are all violations of Security Council resolutions and constitute illegal acts."

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not hide its displeasure, calling the claims "baseless."

At a regular briefing that day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Zhen was asked by reporters whether Chinese authorities had demanded the repatriation of North Korean workers. He replied, "I have not heard of the situation you mentioned," and added, "China and North Korea are neighboring countries connected by mountains and rivers, and have continuously maintained a traditional friendly cooperative relationship."

Lin further criticized, "Recently, some South Korean media outlets have frequently reported on the China-North Korea relationship with unfounded speculation and exaggerated propaganda," and said, "I hope these media outlets maintain professional standards, report objectively based on facts, and do not write news like novels."