China returns N Korea refugees

China has vowed to crack down on N Korean asylum seekers

China has reportedly sent home a group of North Koreans after arresting them last month for trying to seek asylum.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the group included 62 North Koreans who were arrested during raids on two safe houses in Beijing on 26 October.

Another eight alleged North Koreans arrested trying to enter South Korea's consulate in Beijing have also been sent home, Yonhap reported.

The move comes amid reports China was clamping down on North Korean refugees.

About 200,000 are estimated to be living in China, mainly across the border from impoverished North Korea.

A small but increasing number has attempted to win asylum in third countries, often forcing their way into foreign embassies in Beijing, from where they are usually sent on to South Korea.

In the past two and a half months, more than 100 North Koreans have sought asylum in foreign missions and schools in Beijing.

N Korea 'kills detainees' babies

China usually turns a blind eye to North Koreans living and working near the border. But those caught seeking asylum are usually repatriated to the North, a close ally.

The latest reported repatriations were criticised by a human rights group.

"China knows that they will be executed or they will be put in political prisoner camps for the crime of leaving the country," said Suzanne Scholte, president of the human rights group the Defense Forum Foundation, on Tuesday.

Two South Korean human rights activists who were helping the refugees have also been arrested by the Chinese authorities, Yonhap said.