A North Korean army deserter reportedly crossed into China, where he killed four residents of a border city after robbing them of money and food.  China has protested to North Korea.

According to local media reports, the North Korean deserter crossed the Tumen River, which divides China and North Korea, into the city of Helong, where he committed his crimes.

Like Us on Facebook

South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that the 26-year-old soldier crossed the river into north-eastern China's Jilin province on the morning of December 27.

The soldier broke into the home of a 60-year-old ethnic Korean villager surnamed Xu and shot and killed him and his wife. He then broke into Xu's neighbor's home and pistol whipped an elderly couple to death. The soldier entered yet another house and stole 100 yuan ($16) and some food.

That night, Chinese soldiers and police reportedly shot the deserter in the stomach as he fled to the upper reaches of the Tumen. The North Korean remains unconscious in a local hospital.

The Tumen has been used for years by North Koreans fleeing into China, and it isn't uncommon for them to cross the loosely guarded border in search of food.

China's foreign ministry did not release details about the incident, but said it has lodged a protest with North Korea.

However, the ministry did suggest that China would not return the man back to North Korea, but instead prosecute him within the country.  "China's public security bureau will handle the case according to law," a ministry spokeswoman said.

TagsNorth Korean Army Deserter Kills Four in China, Tumen River, Helong