12 soldiers attempted to leave North Korea earlier this month. They were caught by Chinese security forces and they were then repatriated.
The soldiers attempted to defect in two separate groups. Both groups were captured in Jilin Province. There are a few suggestions as to why they attempted to defect, with the strongest suggestion being a lack of food.
The 12 are not the only North Koreans forcibly repatriated in recent weeks. A source stated that 8 North Koreans were captured in Yanji this month. They were sent to a detention center near the Tumen River from where they were then repatriated. Five of those captured were children.
Source: Chosun Ilbo
