Yonhap News reported that 9 Kotjebis (North Korean homeless children) were banished to China from Laos.

 

The defector children are aged between 15 and 23. After escaping from North Korea, they went to Laos from China with the help of a Korean couple in China. However, they got caught while entering into the city where the South Korean embassy is located, and were sent to China. While they were detained in Laos, the South Korean embassy tried to diplomatically solve this problem with the Laos government but failed. The South Korean authorities stated that they are unsure of the whereabouts of these 9 children.

 

The Korean couple, who helped the children in China, said that there is a high possibility that the children will be repatriated to North Korea soon. It is likely that they will receive a harsh punishment because they have escaped several times. Thus, the couple insisted that a quick solution is needed for the situation.

 

Source: Chosun Ilbo