A Chinese dissident has been intercepted by the South Korean Coast Guard after traveling more than 300 kilometers by jet ski to escape China. Kwon Pyong, 35, was jailed in his homeland several years ago for mocking his leader Xi Jinping, a South Korean activist said Wednesday.
The South Korean Coast Guard said it had detained a Chinese man on Aug. 16 after he traveled from China on an 1,800cc jet ski, wearing a life jacket and helmet, and carrying a telescope, compass and five fuel tanks.
The Coast Guard did not identify the man who was detained in the western coastal city of Incheon, but South Korean activist Lee Dae-seon has reported it to be Kwon Pyong, who was jailed in China after posting a selfie on social media. of him wearing a T-shirt with slogans mocking President Xi in 2016.
"He seems to have decided to flee after feeling political pressure," said Lee, who said he had visited Kwon in a detention center on Tuesday. "He is considering seeking refuge in a third country for now," said Lee, who describes himself on his website as an international solidarity activist and head of the Seoul office of the group called "China Dialogue."
Kwon appeared to be in good health after his jet ski ride, which South Korean media reported lasted 14 hours, Lee said.
US-based Radio Free Asia reported that Kwon was jailed in 2017 after "using words, images and videos to insult and defame the government of this country and the socialist system" on social media.
A South Korean Coast Guard official said the man had not asked for shelter or asylum during his investigation.
