The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has requested the Chinese government to halt the repatriation of North Korean defectors until their safety is guaranteed.

The 24 North Korean defectors who recently escaped through the China-North Korean border, are currently held by Chinese police and are expected to be sent back to the North. Ten out of the 24 have requested urgent relief from the National Human Rights Commission of Korea through North Korean human rights groups.

The UN Refugee Agency has said there is a high risk of the defectors facing severe punishment once they are brought back to the North, and should not be repatriated against their will.

Meanwhile, ten North Korean human rights groups in South Korea have kicked off a campaign to stop the forced repatriation of the North Korean defectors.