25 N. Korean Defectors Arrive From China
Twenty-five asylum seekers from North Korea arrived in the Philippines, a day after they took refuge in the Spanish Embassy in Beijing and threatened to kill themselves if the international community did not help them escape to South Korea.
The North Koreans arrived in Manila, the Philippine capital, on a China Southern commercial flight, airport authorities said. Journalists were kept away, but Philippine National Security Advisor Roilo Golez said the refugees could stay for three days before heading to South Korea.
The United Nations’ refugee agency congratulated China and Spain for the quick “humanitarian solution.”
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