A Japanese nongovernmental organization helping North Koreans who have fled to China demanded Thursday that Beijing release at least 120 refugees and their supporters allegedly detained since October.

Hiroshi Kato, of Life Funds for North Korean Refugees, said his and other NGOs have so far been able to identify 113 North Korean escapees and seven NGO activists and supporters who have been detained by China.

At least three others have been sent back to North Korea against their will, he told a news conference in Tokyo.