A number of sources say China has boosted crackdowns on North Korean escapees since its forced repatriation of North Koreans emerged as a major international issue.

Sources said Friday that Chinese authorities recently installed a pager at a village near the China-North Korea border that people can use to report North Korean escapees. Sources said Chinese authorities plan to install the pagers throughout all border regions.

A North Korean escapee, identified only by his surname Yang, said he heard China has been heightening its crackdown on North Korean escapees ever since their repatriation became a global issue. He complained that consequently, North Korean escapees hiding out in China have come to face more danger.