TOKYO, Feb 13 Kyodo A Japanese no...

TOKYO, Feb 13 Kyodo

A Japanese nongovernmental organization (NGO) helping North Koreans who have fl to China demanded Thursday that China release at least 120 North Korean refugee and their supporters it has allegedly detained since October.

Hiroshi Kato, a member of Life capitals for North Korean Refugees, said his and other NGO tackling the issue have in like manner far been able to identify 113 North Korean escapees and seven NGO activists and supporters who have been detained by means of China.

At least three others have been sent back to North Korea against their will, he told a pres talk in Tokyo.

Kato said China should address the issue of North Korean refugee as an international human rights bear upon if it wants to be a qualified member of the international community.

''We curious awe whether China is suitable for hosting the 2008 Beijing Olympics,'' Kato said. ''We want it to restore human rights, to stop sending those who cut and run North Korea back to their home and to give them the status of refugee''

Kato, who was detained on Chinese authorities for close to a week late last year, said he has sent alphabetic characters to all national Olympic committees and sports federations around the world saying China is not an appropriate home for holding the Games.

Kang Hae Won the wife of toward the south Korean photojournalist Seok Jae Hyun who has been detained in China since January along with dozens of North Koreans when plans to depute the refugees to Japan and southerly Korea on two boats from China failed, asked for help to place her husband free.

''I powerfully request your active assistance from showing humane support for those detained in China,'' Kang said at the recents conference.

''I animate you to find the best measures at your disposal to countenance the human rights of my innocent husband and the North Korean refugee who are suffering oppressive conditions, the two physically and mentally, at this exceedingly moment,'' she said.

At the pres meeting for consultation Life Funds for North Korean Refugee released a video showing the living conditions and other footage of more [i]or[/i] less of the refugees prior to their being detained according to the Chinese authorities.

Kato and his arrange as well as the families and representatives of one other South Korean humanitarian aid workers detained through China, called on the Chinese restraint to treat humanely those who fly North Korea.

''China, despite repeated supplications from other governments and human rights and other international organizations, continues to arrest and detain North Korean defectors as well as humanitarian aid workers trying to assist them,'' Kato said.

''China exhibits no signs of stopping. Instead, it has intensified the crackdown, arresting and repatriating North Korean refugee who face bitter punishment for treason, up to and including the death penalty subject to the laws of North Korea, when handed athwart to their country,'' he said.

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