North Korea has accused South Korea of luring and kidnapping the nine North Korean escapees recently repatriated from Laos.

The North's official Korean Central News Agency carried a statement by a North Korean Red Cross spokesman saying a crime against humanity was exposed when South Korea was caught in the act of attempting to lure a group of young North Koreans to the South. The spokesman called for the punishment of the perpetrators.

South Korea expressed deep regret over Pyongyang's "ludicrous" claims and strongly urged Pyongyang to ensure the safety of the escapees’ lives.

The North also claimed that several South Koreans who illegally entered North Korea are being detained there.

Seoul responded that it has been asking Pyongyang since March 2010 to detail the whereabouts of South Korean nationals but it has gotten no response.

Seoul said if the claims are true, North Korea should offer up the facts immediately.