Laotian Officials Send North Korean Teenage Defectors Home

The World

In the photos released by the South Korean government, they look like your typical teenage group touring abroad, wearing matching green shirts, and throwing up peace signs for the camera.

But this group was no teen tour, they were North Korean defectors in Laos en route to South Korea.

The teens were detained by Laotian authorities and sent back to North Korea through China.

This move that has caused uproar in the region and sets a dangerous new precedent says Greg Scarlataoiu, the executive director of The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea.

Invest in independent global news

The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!