Laos says it will deal with North Korean escapee issues based on principle following its recent decision to deport nine North Koreans to China.

It's believed the Laotian government told Ambassador Lee Jeong-kwan, a special envoy sent to the Southeast Asian nation by Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, that Laotian law stipulates the repatriation of those illegally entering Laos back to their home country.

The ambassador was told that Laos will continue to strictly apply its law regarding North Korean escapees. Laos explained that this decision is to erase its international stigma as a country that is easy to enter illegally and use for human trafficking.