Korean activist groups in the Los Angeles, California area of the United States sent a statement to South Korean, U.S., and Chinese heads of state to block the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors.

Ten of these groups, including a North Korean human rights activist group branch in Los Angeles, signed the joint statement, which included a demand for the guarantee of North Korean human rights.

The groups also plan to stage protests before Chinese consulates in major U.S. cities on March 20th, rallying against the forced repatriation of North Korean defectors.