Laos's decision to deport nine North Korean escapees this week was reportedly in addition to around ten times it's done so in the past.

An activist who has helped North Korean escapees in Southeast Asia, identified by surname his Kim, told domestic media Friday that Laos has been sternly dealing with North Korean escapees.

Kim said that Laos imposes 300 U.S. dollars in fines and demands identity verification for arrested North Koreans. He said those who could not accept the demands were deported.

Kim and another activist surnamed Joo, who helped the nine defectors travel to Laos through China, sought to send the group to the U.S. and not South Korea at first.

Kim said that Joo arrived in the Laotian capital city Vientiane with the nine defectors and directly called the U.S. Embassy in Laos to send them to the U.S., but it did not work out and contacted the South Korean Embassy later.