China reiterates its stance on N. K. defectors

China reiterated on Wednesday its stance on North Korean defectors, refusing to recognize them as refugees.

   "We oppose that the issue of North Koreans' illegal entry into China is being brought to the international organizations, as those organizations are not the venues to discuss such matters," said Hong Lei, spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry at a daily press briefing in Beijing, according to the ministry's official Web site.

   "We have repeatedly pointed out that those who cross the border illegally are not refugees as they have entered the country for economic reasons. We oppose making it into a refugee issue and attempting to internationalize and politicize it."

   China is the only major ally of North Korea and provides diplomatic support and economic assistance to the impoverished nation. Beijing usually repatriates defectors from North Korea, seeing them as economic migrants, not refugees.

   Last week, President Lee Myung-bak urged Beijing to follow international norms on the matter.

   In Geneva, South Korea Ambassador Kim Bong-hyun asked all countries concerned to refrain from forced repatriation of North Korean defectors.

   South Korea "urges all countries directly concerned to uphold the principle of non-refoulement, thereby refraining from exposing those in desperate situations to the risk of dire consequences,"

Kim said Monday in a high-level session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

   Meanwhile, a U.S. congressional panel announced Tuesday that it will convene an emergency hearing next week on China's policy of repatriating North Korean defectors. (Yonhap News)