Activist: 3 N. Koreans shot dead trying to flee country

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Source: MSNBC

Three North Koreans were shot dead by their own country's troops as they tried to cross the border into China, an activist in South Korea told a news agency Tuesday.

The men, who were in their 40s, were crossing the Yalu river near the city of Hyesan, Do Hee-Youn told the AFP news agency.

"People waiting at the Chinese side across the river to help the three defect saw the scene. The guards took with them the bodies which were lying on the ice," Do told AFP.

Do added that it was "very rare" for guards to open fire immediately on seeing people trying to flee and linked this to increased security following Kim Jung-il's death and the transfer of power to his son Kim Jong-un.


Read more: http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/03/9908545-activist-3-n-koreans-shot-dead-trying-to-flee-country