Reader John Thacker has been diligently keeping up with the North Korean refugee saga.

First off, the three North Koreans that scaled the wall into the US
consulate in Shenyeng got sent to South Korea.

Good for us. (Although some reports seem to indicate that they wanted
to come to the USA rather than to S. Korea.)

No doubt...

The Japanese are lodging their protests with the Chinese, as reported Here, and here.

The Chinese are telling the Japanese to "correct their attitude," and claiming that they got permission to enter the embassy. The Japanese reply that they did not give agreement, and are demanding that China return the five refugees. (Sounds like a matter of honor now, perhaps?)

Perhaps. We'll see how cowed Japan is by China.

It seems to me that the Chinese don't really have much to worry about here. China and Japan aren't exactly bosom buds to begin with, nor is Japan's economy in good enough shape for them to risk any real or potential markets they have in China. Certainly Japan is no military threat to China. Realistically it seems that China can give Japan the finger, whilst claiming over and over again that indeed their officers had permission and Japan is slandering them, and not really worry about it overmuch.

Am I missing something here?

Myria

Myria,
Yes you are, but it's cultural. China has made Japan lose face, and that will have to be resolved. If it isn't, Japan may not do anything now, but the next time it is in a postition to do something, China will get a good swift kick in the rear. And they know that.

More on this in Thursday's NY Times and the AP. The Japanese leaked that a deal had been worked out with the Chinese to send the five people to S. Korea - the Chinese then denied a deal. Ooops. Apparently, the video of the sobing little girl being lead away by Chinese police is causing a stir in Japan. Where is Janet Reno when we need her?

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/16/international/asia/16KORE.html

Meanwhile, the AP reports that the Korean couple in the Canadian embassy in Beijing have been allowed to go to Singapore. Their final destination is believed to be S. Korea.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-China-Asylum-Seekers.html

Regards,