South Korea was trying to confirm reports that about...

South Korea was trying to confirm reports that about 100 North Korean refugees at a detention centre in China were on hunger strike to protest plans to repatriate them. The South Korean authorities said they are willing to accept North Korean refugees who wanted to go to the South. Tom Peters, founder and director of Helping Hands, an activist group in Seoul that helps North Korean refugees, said his informal network of sources had confirmed the hunger strike was taking place - and that it began with five refugees terrified of being repatriated. "They were so distressed and so fearful, that they began ingesting pins and needles, in fact, to perforate their own stomach and even induce their own suicide," says Mr. Peters. Peters said those who were sent back could expect to face punishment. "By far, the most severe punishment, including summary execution, is meted out to those who can be identified as having been with Christians in China," he said. Other punishments were reported to include torture and forced labour at re-education camps.