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Chinese Foreign Ministry said the recent reportedly missing North Korean citizens in China were leaving the country with valid passports. The 13 North Korean reportedly arrived in South Korea.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said investigations show that 13 people with North Korean nationality have left China in a normal way, with valid passports.

"I want to emphasize that these people entered and left China legally, holding valid identification. They are not North Koreans who entered illegally," the spokesman commented during a press briefing on Monday.

"Our position on the issue of illegal North Korean immigrants is clear to all.　We always handle the issue according to domestic and international laws and with the spirit of humanitarianism," he added.