China reacts on N. Koreans' repatriation

China says North Koreans entering its territory are not refugees as claimed in South Korean reports but illegal border crossers. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said the South Korean media is trying to politicize the issue by claiming the North Koreans in China should not be repatriated as they might be punished in their home country, China Daily reported Wednesday. The issue has heated up between South Korea and China as there are reports Beijing is planning to send back about 30 North Koreans currently in China. Hong said the reports in South Korean media about the illegal border-crossers showed its attempt to politicize the issue, which doesn't reflect the truth or solve the problem, China Daily said. "China and the ROK [South Korea] are important cooperation partners in many areas. China hopes the ROK could calmly treat the issue of illegal border crossers and tackle the problem through efficient communication and cooperation, and maintain the general interest of Sino-ROK relations," Hong said. South Korean lawmaker Park Sun-young, who is with the conservative Liberty Forward Party, has been campaigning to stop China from repatriating the North Koreans. On Tuesday, she said China for the second time had refused her a visa to visit China. Separately, the South Korean National Assembly, responding to several protests in Seoul, passed a resolution asking China to stop the repatriation of the North Koreans. South Korea also has asked other countries to protect such North Korean defectors. Hong was quoted as saying the North Koreans are not refugees but had come to China for economic reasons, adding "illegal entrances and organizing illegal immigration are not allowed in any country." He said China will properly settle relevant issues based on domestic laws, international laws and in humanitarian spirit.