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MONTREAL - Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) last year refused asylum to a former North Korean diplomat, despite knowing the possibility that he would be executed if sent back to Korea, the Canadian newspaper "The Globe and Mail" reported Wednesday.
The IRB said that the diplomat, Ri Song-dae, was unqualified for protection, as Ri was formerly involved in the regime's crimes against humanity, the newspaper reported.
The IRB said however that Ri's six-year old son was eligible for refugee status since he would be persecuted if sent back. The decision by the IRB was given in September last year.
Ri was a trade official at the North Korean embassy in Beijing until he arrived in Canada in August 2001 with his wife and son. Ri's wife returned to North Korea on April 2002 before having had the chance to apply for refugee status. She is known to have been executed upon her return.
Ri's fate now rests in the hands of Canada's Immigration Minister, Judy Sgro, who has the power to overturn the IRB's ruling, the Global and Mail reported.
(internetnews@chosun.com )
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