The South Korean community in New York has submitted a petition to UN agencies urging a halt to the forced repatriation of 21 North Korean escapees currently being held in China.

Korean associations in the New York area, including the Korean-American Association of Greater New York, presented the petitions on Thursday to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

In the petitions, the associations said North Korean escapees who are forcibly sent home face ruthless torment and even execution.

The associations said they are appealing to the agencies out of hope that Chinese authorities will address the issue of North Korean escapees in a humanitarian manner.