North Korean defectors in China sent back to their country, says South Korea
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A bridge connecting Dandong in China's Liaoning province with Sinuiju in North Korea. A large number of North Koreans in China’s three north-east provinces are said to have been repatriated.
PHOTO: REUTERS
SEOUL - South Korea said on Friday it believes a large number of North Korean defectors in China
Ministry spokesman Koo Byoung-sam said any deportation of North Koreans back to the country against their will goes against the international norm that bans such moves, and South Korea viewed it as a regrettable decision.
“It appears to be true that a large number of North Koreans in China’s three north-east provinces have been repatriated to the North,” Mr Koo told a news briefing.
South Korea was unable to determine the number of people involved and whether there were defectors, patients or criminals among them, he added.
“The South Korean government regrets the situation and raised this matter with the Chinese side in a serious manner, emphasising our position,” he said.
China on Thursday said there were no “so-called defectors” in the country, when asked about a report that Beijing had deported about 600 North Korean defectors this week despite a request by Seoul against forcible repatriation.
Speaking about people from North Korea who entered illegally for economic reasons, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said China had always handled the issue according to the law. REUTERS
