One of the two North Korean defectors holding South Korean nationality arrested by Chinese authorities late last month has been released and is now in South Korea.

A Foreign Ministry official said the defector, identified as Choi, had been on parole. The official said Choi was released and returned to South Korea Monday night.

Choi is currently being investigated by South Korean intelligence authorities. The other South Korean national was arrested on charges of violating the local law in China and is said to be likely to be indicted by Chinese authorities.

The South Korean government believes the escapees from North Korea who were arrested by Chinese authorities total some 20 persons, including the two South Korean nationals. The South Korean government is negotiating with China to prevent their repatriation to the North.