The expellees were termed "repatriates". China repatriates North Korean refugees under a deal made with North Korea, its ally. "Pollux" evacuated 124 repatriates from Lingayen Gulf. Since 1991 and until October 1, 2019, 1.057 mln ethnic Kazakh repatriates arrived to Kazakhstan. The local for instance considers the repatriates as "other" and "not authentic" co-ethnics. By 1996, the population rose to 56,000, mainly due to the influx of late repatriates. Kazakh repatriates from China tend to find jobs at Chinese companies or joint ventures. Some facilities also serve as quarantine sites for Filipino repatriates from other countries. The conditions aboard ship and the obvious distress of the repatriates prompted controversy in Australia. The ship made 12 round trips, carrying a total of 27,712 repatriates. The three-week siege of Marash was also accompanied by the massacre of the Armenian repatriates. After World War II, the area was settled by repatriates and Muslims from modern-day Belarus. Generally, on their side, agents from NKVD or SMERSH conducted the handling of the repatriates. A considerable number later returned to Latvia as repatriates after the independent republic was established. However the repatriates put an even greater strain on the slim resources.