By Here is yet another report showing the dangers North Koreans face trying to defect to China:
Chinese officials admitted that, six years ago, 56 dead North Koreans were found in a river forming the border with North Korea. All of the victims (36 men, 20 women, including five children) had apparently been shot, at night, and killed while trying to escape across the river. The current brought the bodies to the Chinese side, where they were found, removed from the water, identified and cremated by Chinese police. This happened in a remote area, making it possible to keep it quiet for so long. [Strategy Page]
One Free Korea has a good posting and follow on discussion in the comments area I recommend everyone read because this report is probably worthy of further examination, but I think it is definitely plausible considering the nature of the North Korean regime.
10:18 am on September 16th, 2009 1
I believe that Strategy Page is assuming the document to be authentic. I searched in Chinese last night and just now and could not find any official Chinese news report on the matter, only a few stories on overseas news portals and mainland BBS comment threads. I don't know anything about Strategy Page but probably won't return anytime soon for more news since they're so careless in reporting.
12:08 pm on September 16th, 2009 2
The Strategy page is known for their opinions often pro western, but their info is at a minimum based in some fact. I have been a reader of Strategy page for a few years, and while they tend to rah, rah, the US military, there is usually some truth in the articles. I would make a few comments on the article asking the sources. Easily done.