 South Korea's president has pledged to prevent the forced deportation of North Korean defectors from third countries. Speaking at the first ever North Korean Defectors Day, Yoon Sung-yeol said South Korea would spare no diplomatic effort to protect those who fled North Korea. Reports published last year by human rights groups claim that China has sent back hundreds of North Koreans who are at risk of being detained in forced labor camps. China does not recognize North Korean defectors as refugees.