Over recent months the defector repatriation issue has jumped to the top of the agenda for many DPRK experts and the press. A surge of protests against Chinese repatriation of North Korean defectors began in earnest last month, and since then has gone from strength to strength. Numbers have increased, as has the fame of those involved. Celebrities ranging from lawmaker Park Sun-young to actor Cha In-pyo have given the demonstrations much needed media appeal. It took a while, but politicians soon also weighed in to the matter, with the South Korean Government sending representatives to discuss the matter directly