11 Nokor defectors transit through RP

Eleven North Korean defectors transited through the Philippines from China on their way to South Korea, an airport immigration official said.

The 11 flew into the Philippines from Xiamen, China late Friday and immediately boarded a plane for South Korea, said immigration official Ferdinand Sampol.

There were no details on their identities or how they defected from North Korea.

In recent months, the Philippines has served as a transit point for North Korean defectors who enter China in their journey to South Korea.

However, both South Korea and China have become tight-lipped about such defections following various diplomatic squabbles in recent months over North Koreans who seek asylum in foreign missions in China.

Officials in Seoul and Beijing were not immediately available for comment yesterday. — AFP, Aurea Calica