US official raises alarm over forcible repatriation of North Koreans from China

A U.S. official overseeing North Korea affairs has voiced concerns about China's forced repatriation of North Koreans, according to the U.S. State Department.

Pak noted North Korea's "provocative and irresponsible rhetoric toward its neighbors," and stressed concern about its deepening military cooperation with Russia. She said Russia’s veto of a mandate extension for a U.N. panel that monitored North Korea sanctions would hamper efforts to implement U.N. Security Council resolutions, the statement said.