China, despite being a signatory of the international...

China, despite being a signatory of the international convention on the treatment of refugees, decided to repatriate seven North Koreans who entered Russia in November and were expelled to China (see below). The convention carries a commitment to offer sanctuary to people who flee into its territory because of a well-founded fear of persecution back home. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the South Korean government had pleaded with China not to repatriate the seven refugees who could face execution in North Korea.