Three villagers killed close to DPRK border

Three Chinese citizens were confirmed dead in a city bordering the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Wednesday, but authorities failed to verify media reports identifying DPRK army deserters as the suspects.

Police are investigating the slaying of a 55-year-old man surnamed Zhao, his 26-year-old daughter and another man, surnamed Sun, 67, in Shiren village, the Helong city government in Jilin province said on Sina Weibo on Wednesday. The incident was reported to police early Saturday morning, it said.

Beijing-based Global Times reported that three soldiers fleeing the DPRK were suspects, citing the Republic of Korea broadcaster KBS.