Two South Koreans executed for drug crimes

Two South Koreans were executed in Northeast China's Jilin province on Wednesday for smuggling and trading drugs, the latest amid the recent execution of foreign nationals involved in drug offenses.

The two were convicted of smuggling drugs from North Korea into China. They were arrested in April 2011 for smuggling 14.8 kilograms of methamphetamine and selling 12.3 kilograms of the drug to dealers in South Korea, reported the Yonhap News Agency.

"The South Korean government expresses deep regret over the latest execution of our citizens in China," Noh Kwang-il, spokesperson from the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was quoted as saying by Yonhap.

Another South Korean drug dealer is facing execution in Shandong province for smuggling drugs in 2009.

Drug smuggling is a felony under the Criminal Law of China and those who are convicted of smuggling more than 50 grams of drugs can be sentenced to death. A Japanese national was executed in July for drug offences. At least 10 foreign drug smugglers have been executed in China since 1997.