South Korea expresses concern to China for repatriating North Korean escapees

China has forcibly returned an unspecified large number of North Korean escapees back to their homeland. South Korea said it has communicated its concerns to Beijing.

His comments followed several media reports based on activist sources that alleged China recently returned hundreds of escapees back to North Korea where they would face the risk of persecution and harsh treatment.

"It appears to be true that a large number of North Koreans were repatriated to North Korea from China’s three northeastern provinces," Koo said. "(Our) government’s position is that there should be no circumstances in which North Koreans living abroad would be forcibly repatriated back home against their will."