For China, North Koreans leaving their country are "economic migrants", not political refugees. Seoul protests the decision. Concern is now mounting over another group of 30 North Koreans currently detained in a prison in northern China.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) - China has repatriated nine North Koreans who crossed into its territory in order to flee to South Korea. The decision was made despite pleas by South Korea to treat them as refugees. Anyone caught escaping the world's last Stalinist regime can expect the death penalty or life sentence in a labour camp. News about the forced repatriation appeared in South Korea's press, based on sources from the North.

"My brother in North Korea called me, and said that my female cousin who crossed into China in late February was caught and sent back to North Korea," a North Korean refugee in the South said. She said eight others were also repatriated.

For Beijing, North Koreans who cross into its territory are "economic migrants", not refugees.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak protested the decision, calling on Chinese authorities to change their policy in the matter.

However, China remains North Korea's last economic partner, and has repeatedly said that it would not make concessions to anyone trying to flee North Korea.

At present, concerns are mounting about another group of some 30 North Koreans who were arrested and jailed by China.

Since the end of Korean War (1950-1953), some 21,700 North Koreans have fled the Kims' regime, most in the past two decades when Pyongyang's economic policies pushed the country to the brink of disaster.

• china
• north
• south
• korea
• refugees
• repatriation
• economic
• migrants