Chinese Embassy dismisses massive arrests of Chinese nationals in DPRK

The Chinese Embassy in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday denied media reports that more than 100 Chinese nationals residing in the DPRK were recently arrested by authorities.

"It is a groundless rumor that more than 100 Chinese nationals in the DPRK were arrested," a spokesperson of the embassy said in a statement carried on its official website.

There are about 3,000 Chinese living and working in the DPRK, mostly residing in Pyongyang, Sinuiju and Chongjin, who have been law-abiding and diligent in contributing to the socio-economic development and socialist building of the DPRK, said the statement.

"Under the new situation, China and the DPRK are both committed to developing traditional, friendly co-operational relations. The two peoples, including all overseas Chinese in the DPRK, are an important force in advancing China-DPRK relations and we believe that Chinese nationals in the DPRK will continue to play an active role," it said.

Earlier, there have been reports by foreign media outlets that more than 100 Chinese nationals in the DPRK were arrested and interrogated for alleged espionage activities.

The embassy statement said Chinese nationals in the DPRK violating laws and perpetuating crimes represent few individual cases and that there is no so-called espionage at all. Endi