The South Korean government says it will map out comprehensive measures to prevent repatriations similar to that of a family of seven North Korean defectors carried out by China last month.

At a special meeting of the National Security council, the government said it would continue to call on China, Russia, and international agencies such as the UNHCR and the International Federation of the Red Cross to take necessary measures to secure the safety of the family. They were held by Russian guards in November after reportedly crossing from China in search of food and were sent back to China.

The Chinese authorities declared the group to be illegal immigrants and repatriated them -- a move the UN refugee agency said was in violation of the 1951 Refugee Convention.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service