A news report says some 20 North Korean border guards fled into China, apparently afraid that their bribe-taking would cost them their lives.
According to this report, two other guards were scheduled to be executed later this month for taking bribes from defectors who wanted to cross into China. I guess that spooked the others, who decided to take a hike.
Now the question is: What will China do with the guards? It has shipped back tens of thousands of North Korean refugees over the years. If it ships the guards back, some will certainly be put to death by the regime of the Dear Leader, Kim Jong Il.
Probably they will send them back, after asking Kim's mercy for them first.
Posted by: ts | February 06, 2007 at 09:46 PM
Since even normal peasants are treated harshly when caught defecting, if these guards are caught, North Korea will come down on them very hard, possibly public execution. For those interested, some good sites on North Korean situation:
http://www.familycare-foundation.org/
http://grantmontgomery.blogspot.com/
http://freekorea.us/
Posted by: icar | February 07, 2007 at 07:47 PM
What will China do with them? Let's wait and see.
Posted by: Lillian | February 08, 2007 at 02:11 AM
I have absolutely no doubt that if these guards are returned to NK they will be executed.
Posted by: China Law Blog | February 10, 2007 at 08:51 PM