China has dismissed the UN human rights watchdog’s calls for stopping its forcible repatriation of North Korean defectors, repeating its position that North Korean defectors are not refugees.
 
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Monday during a regular news briefing that North Koreans who illegally cross the border are not refugees.
 
The spokesman made the remark in response to a question about the UN Human Rights Council’s calls for stopping deportation of North Korean defectors.
 
He said that China has properly dealt with people who illegally cross the border in accordance with domestic and international laws and humanitarian principles.
 
The spokesman then urged the UN council to thoroughly abide by the Charter of the UN with objectivity and fairness, and respect the legitimate law enforcement by the Chinese justice system.
 

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