A South Korean group of government, religious and business...

A South Korean group of government, religious and business leaders presented the UN High Commissioner for Refugees with a petition bearing 11 million signatures that seeks to improve the lot of North Koreans who say they fled their homeland to escape famine or political oppression. The petition called for the so-called "defectors" from North Korea to be granted refugee status in their adopted lands. This 20 individuals representing the Commission to Help North Korean Refugees, said refugee status would protect the fleeing North Koreans from being sent back home against their will to face possible detention, forced labour, torture and even execution, UNHCR official Robin Groves said. The 11 million signers represent nearly a quarter of South Korea's total population of 48 million.