S. Korean detained in China for helping N. Korean defectors

One of two South Korean men detained by Chinese authorities late last month with a group of North Korean defectors has been cleared of one charge, a diplomatic source in Seoul said Tuesday, possibly meaning he will escape a jail term. The two men, who had also defected from North Korea before they settled in the South, were taken into custody in China for allegedly trying to help the group of North Koreans reach South Korea. Another man was released last week and returned home. "The South Korean national had faced three charges, but was cleared of one that could result in severe punishment," the source said on the condition of anonymity. The man is still charged with profiting from illegally helping the North Koreans defect, and under Chinese law he could be fined, the source said. Initial news reports said that 35 people, including the two South Korean nationals, had been detained, but the number of the detainees appears now to be about 20, Seoul officials said. South Korea has urged China not to repatriate the North Korean defectors to their homeland, but it remains unclear whether Beijing will heed Seoul's calls. As North Korea's only major ally, China does not recognize North Korean defectors within its borders as refugees but regularly deports them back to North Korea, where they are said to face severe punishments ranging from torture to public execution.