File photo: North Korean girls perform in an overseas restaurant

Investigation shows that 13 DPRK nationals left China with valid passports in the morning of April 6, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang in a regular press conference on April 11, 2016.

Lu was asked to comment on the report that 13 North Korean restaurant staff members have defected to ROK after leaving their overseas restaurant, which is very possibly based in China, and he was also asked if China has assisted in the defection.

“What we should particularly emphasize here is that these people legally departed China with valid ID, and that they are not illegal immigrates from the DPRK,” said Lu Kang.

“As for those illegal immigrates from the DPRK, our position has always been very clear. We would properly handle them under international law, domestic law, and humanitarian principles,” Lu added.