A Chinese dissident who fled the country aboard an inflatable boat has been detained in South Korea, with rights groups calling for him to be granted asylum after three previous escape attempts saw him returned to China. Dong Guangping, 68, a former police officer who has been imprisoned multiple times over his criticism of China’s ruling Communist Party, was detained late Monday by the South Korean coast guard, a spokesperson told NBC News on Wednesday. Authorities detained Dong off the coast of Taean in South Chungcheong province after he was spotted by a fishing vessel, which alerted officials. Dong’s rubber boat was about 11 feet long and had a 9.9-horsepower engine, the spokesperson said.

Full report : Dissident escapes China by inflatable boat in fourth attempt to reunite with family.