Fugitive family await China's word

The North Korean family wave from the U.N. office in Beijing as the drama drags on.

By staff and wire reports

BEIJING, China -- Seven fugitive North Koreans await word from China on an appeal for refugee status after camping out for a second night in a U.N. office in Beijing.

The family slipped into the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees office on Tuesday seeking asylum in South Korea. They have lived in China since 1999.

In deciding the family's fate China must choose between angering its ally North Korea or appearing inhumane just two weeks before a vote on Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The United Nations can grant refugee status but needs China's permission for the family to leave the country.

South Korea has agreed to take them in but China is obliged by treaty to return those who flee North Korea.

In making its decision, China is also wary of opening the floodgates to thousands of North Koreans who are fleeing a devastating famine caused by years of droughts.

Drama may drags

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Talks are expected to continue, but there is no word on how long it will take to resolve the diplomatic dilemma.

UNHCR regional representative Colin Mitchell cancelled a planned news conference on Thursday morning without explanation, according to Reuters.

On Wednesday, the aid agency lent its support to the family, saying it would be "unthinkable" to repatriate the three generations of the family of Jung Tae-jun, 69.

In particular a book, illustrated by at least one family member, was critical of North Korea's communist regime and could endanger the family back home.

U.N. staff had bought bedding and takeaway food for the family so they did not have to leave the office, which enjoys the same diplomatic status as an embassy, Mitchell added.

The seven include Jung, his wife, daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren.

Diplomatic tangle

The North Korean family want to be sent to South Korea.

In a word of warning on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said there was no change in China's policy of treating those fleeing North Korea as economic migrants to be repatriated.

In January last year, the UNHCR protested to China after it sent another North Korea family of seven back home after they were captured by Russian border police.

Diplomats say China is unlikely to repatriate Jung's family so close to the Olympic vote but would not allow them refugee status, fearing a flood of North Koreans over the border into northeastern China.

Aid groups estimate between 150,000 and 300,000 North Koreans are already scattered in northeastern China and Mongolia after fleeing a homeland racked by natural disasters and famine.