North Koreans In China Vanish As Border Reopens

North Korean Kim Cheol Ok, who lived for decades in China, has not been heard from since making a frantic to her family after being apprehended while trying to reach South Korea (Credit: AFP)

After fleeing famine in North Korea, Kim Cheol Ok laid low in China for decades -- until a doomed run for freedom got her sent back to her repressive homeland, her family says.

She is among hundreds of North Koreans repatriated by China in recent months, according to rights groups, which say they face imprisonment, torture and even execution back home.