As an adult, he preferred to use the Korean version of his name, Kwon, rather than the Chinese version used by his father, Quan. Upon his return to China, Kwon “had a lot of complaints about the Chinese system”, his father said. Between 2017 and 2021, 5,225 Chinese nationals sought asylum in South Korea with just three accepted. Daeseon Lee, a South Korean human rights activist and friend of Kwon, said South Korea could face “international condemnation” if it “turns away political refugees from China due to its relationship with the Chinese government”. It is not clear if, as well as a prison term in South Korea, Kwon could be sent back to China.

Source: The Guardian November 24, 2023 11:54 UTC