The Chinese Foreign Ministry has refused to confirm whether or not it had repatriated the nine North Korean escapees.

When asked about the fate of the escapees during a regular news briefing on Friday, Chinese Ministry spokesman Hong Lei evaded a direct answer. Hong just responded by saying that China has dealt with the issue through cautious negotiations in accordance with the law and with humanitarian standpoints.

The nine defectors were detained in a military unit in Longjing, a Chinese city located near the border with North Korea. Sources say that China recently sent them back to the North, which is where the nine escapees are reportedly being investigated by the North Korean security agency in North Hamgyeong Province.