DATE=3/14/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-287537

TITLE=CHINA / NOKOR ASYLUM (S UPDATE)

BYLINE=JIM RANDLE

DATELINE=BEIJING

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: China says it is working to end a diplomatic crisis sparked when two dozen North Koreans burst into an embassy in Beijing, seeking asylum. V-O-A's Jim Randle reports.

TEXT: The North Koreans pushed past Chinese guards and into the Spanish Embassy in Beijing Thursday. They threaten to kill themselves if they did not get safe passage to South Korea.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue says Beijing is talking with all concerned parties.

/// ZHANG ACT IN CHINESE, FADE UNDER ///

She says China is working for a solution but Beijing's policy is that the North Koreans do not qualify for refugee status.

Tens of thousands of North Koreans have fled famine and are hiding in China. Beijing considers them economic migrants who should be sent home.

Beijing is concerned that if the North Koreans are granted asylum and sent to South Korea, it will only encourage more attempted defections.

Last year a family of seven North Koreans walked into a United Nations office in Beijing, seeking asylum. After intense negotiations, they were allowed to travel to South Korea on humanitarian grounds, after officials expressed concern for the health of elderly people in that group. (Signed)

NEB/HK/JR/JO/RH