The Seoul Central Prosecutors' Office has requested an arrest warrant for three South Koreans on charges of attempting to defect to North Korea.

They attempted to enter North Korea via China with the help of an undisclosed acquaintance in February but failed. They have since returned to South Korea.

According to the office, the three first met in a pro-North Korean Internet club. They have reportedly stated that they wanted to defect to the North because they were disillusioned with South Korean society.

The prosecution says it has also determined that the three tried to contact North Koreans in China prior to attempting to defect.