That scenario would bring risk, but also great hope for 23 million suffering North Koreans.

CNN: A nation ruled through anguish and terror

China is signatory to the United Nations 1951 convention and 1967 protocol on refugees, but utterly ignores its resulting obligations to provide protection for North Koreans--all of whom, merely by entering China, are subject to a well-founded fear of persecution if sent back.

FORBES: North Korean refugees lead lives of hell in China.

But this is -- this isn't a step for us to take, this is a step for the North Koreans to take in living up to -- living up to those obligations.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing