SEOUL, South Korea — A Chinese political activist has been detained by South Korean authorities after a dangerous border crossing by rubber boat from China, according to officials and friends of the individual.
This was the fourth attempt by the individual to flee China, taking significant risks in hopes of reuniting with family, a friend said. The incident occurs against a backdrop of already tense relations between the two neighboring countries.
South Korean officials confirmed the man, a political activist considered a dissident by Chinese authorities, is currently being held at a South Korean immigration facility. Details of his identity and the official reason for the detention have not been released.
Previously, the individual had made several unsuccessful attempts to cross the border illegally by sea. The latest crossing by rubber boat took place in harsh weather conditions, but the man survived and was discovered in South Korean waters.
The Chinese embassy in Seoul has not yet issued an official comment on the case. International human rights organizations have called on South Korea to ensure the individual's legal rights and have urged against deportation to China over fears of persecution.
