In response to the announcement by a South Korean human rights group that many North Korean defectors who had been detained in China had been forcibly returned to North Korea, the South Korean government expressed regret on the 13th, saying, "The repatriation of North Korean residents seems to be a fact."
A South Korean non-governmental organization working on human rights issues in North Korea announced on the 11th that about 600 North Korean defectors detained in China were forcibly returned to North Korea on the 9th of this month.
A spokesman for South Korea's Ministry of Unification said at a regular press conference on the 13th, "It seems to be a fact that a large number of North Korean residents have been repatriated."
While it was not possible to confirm exactly how many of the repatriated North Korean defectors were included, he expressed regret that "forcible repatriation against the will of the North Korean defectors in any case violates international norms," and stated that "China has raised the issue seriously."
In August, North Korea announced that it had eased restrictions on travel with foreign countries as a measure against the novel coronavirus, prompting concerns from human rights groups that it would accept deportation.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin did not respond to a reporter's request to confirm the facts at a press conference on the 8th.
"China has consistently and responsibly dealt with North Korean nationals who have entered the country illegally for economic reasons in a consistent and responsible manner based on domestic law, international law, and humanitarian principles," he said.