"This is the first time for Korea since it joined the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees in 1992. The Korean government will enhance its status in the international community..." the Ministy of Justice said after announcing it decided to grant a refugee status to an Ethiopian, Degu Dadasse Deresse. Deresse had worked at an anti-government group, the Oromo Liberation Front, and had fled to Korea in 1997 after suffering arrest and violence several times at the hands of the Ethiopian government.
After the announcement by the ministry, a crowd of reporters flocked to a church in Pochon where Deresse has been hiding. However, our thoughts that he would talk about his joy being accepted as a refugee while shedding tears, proved wrong. Deresse strongly refused to allow his identity to be disclosed fearing the fact he was granted refugee status might harm the safety of his family in Ethiopia.
Moreover, since he was told the news by the press, not the ministry, he seemed very embarrassed and nervous. Though reporters tried to persuade him to allow a picture of his back, Deresse refused and left with a pastor who has taken care of him. His neighbors said that Deresse shed a lot of tears due to concern over his family. At around the same time, a television news show broadcast his story with a clear photograph.
I don't know whether such massive press coverage results from a complex Korea has as a less developed country when it comes to human rights. Deresse hid his real name even to his close friends at church. Given this, I hope Deresse and his family don't suffer any more pain stemming from the reports of some of the press and the attitude of the government which was preoccupied with publicizing its decision rather than protecting the concerned.
