June 26, 2008
Bangkok - Fifteen North Korean refugees gave themselves up to Thai police after long trek in a hope to enter Thailand.
Thirteen women and two children turned themselves in to police early Wednesday after they had entered Thailand from Laos.
All of them were charged with illegal entry. But, most are allowed to move to South Korea.
Increasing number of North Koreans are fleeing their homeland partly due to food shortage.
If caught in China, they will get forced repatriation.
They often come to Southeast Asia, hoping to resettle in South Korea or the West.
