“Abducted” Teenagers Return to North Korea

I wonder how much of a choice these defectors had in regards to returning to North Korea after they were caught in Laos?:

North Korea on Wednesday paraded before the state press nine young defectors who were coerced into returning from Laos last month. The teenagers, who are believed to be orphans, recited declarations of loyalty to the repressive state and accused South Korea of attempting to kidnap them.

The official KCNA news agency on Thursday said the young defectors “returned to the arms of their fatherland” after being tricked into leaving the North by the “puppet regime” of South Korea.

The young defectors had attempted to reach South Korea via China and Laos, but were taken back to North Korea late last month by North Korean agents, who apparently badgered them into submission in a Lao detention center. [Chosun Ilbo]

You can read more at the link.