January 12, 2015 09:43
A Korean-American woman who embarked on a bizarre stage tour of South Korea extolling the North Korean regime was deported to the U.S. on Saturday morning.
Shin Eun-mi was put on Korean Air Flight KE011 leaving Seoul for Los Angeles after two hours of questioning by immigration officials. She is barred from South Korea for the next five years.
Shin stands accused of hailing and praising the North Korean regime at a series of forums in Seoul and other cities in violation of the decades-old National Security Law, which prohibits anything perceived as "aiding the enemy."
After being questioned by immigration officials at the airport, Shin said, "I feel like I was betrayed by my lover. I leave here today, but the government cannot drive away my heart loving my fatherland. I will continue to wish for peace and reunification of Korea."
At the airport to bid Shin farewell was Hwang Sun, her alleged partner in crime and a former member of the now-defunct Democratic Labor Party.
In Los Angeles, she was met by members of leftwing and conservative groups who held up banners either praising her "heroic" acts or berating her and telling her to "go live in North Korea."
The two sides engaged in a shoving match as one side tried to give Shin flowers while the other side attempted to stop them.
Shin may sue the Justice Ministry for deporting her. A lawyer representing her said she "could apply for an entry visa if she needs to. If she is refused, we will take legal action."
At their stage events, Shin and Hwang allegedly spoke out in favor of North Korea, claiming that most defectors want to go back to the repressive state.
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