Two South Koreans have been executed in China on drug smuggling charges, according to Yonhap news agency.

The executions went ahead despite South Korea's appeal for leniency.

Yonhap said the South Korean government expressed "deep regret" over the executions and promised to extend all the necessary support to the families of Kim, 53, and Paek, 45.

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"We have passed on the request on various levels for humanitarian consideration after the conviction was confirmed," said a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

A court in China's northeastern province of Jilin convicted the South Koreans of illegally bringing in 14 kilograms of methamphetamine from North Korea in 2010 and 2011.

China's highest court handed down the death penalty in March, according to reports.

Another convicted drug dealer from South Korea is awaiting execution on similar charges.

The person, identified by his family name Chang, was arrested in 2009 and received the death penalty following trial in Qingdao city, in China's eastern Shandong province.

An appeals court last year upheld his death sentence.

It is a crime in China to carry more than 50 grams of methamphetamine or heroin.

Yonhap said that since 2009, foreigners from Pakistan, Japan, Britain and the Philippines have been executed for smuggling 3 to 4 kilograms of drugs into the country.

Chinese courts have issued death penalties for nearly 20 South Koreans convicted of drug-related crimes.

A majority of South Koreans won a commutation of their death sentence.

According to the Chinese news agency Xinhua, the number of drug convictions in the country has risen to more than 27 percent over the last year.

That translates to around 39,700 individuals sentenced on drug-related charges.

The Jilin executions came amid signs of improving diplomatic and economic relations between China and South Korea.

The two countries have been working together to curb North Korea's nuclear policy and reach a deal on enhancing bilateral trade.

TagsSouth Korea drugs, North Korea drugs, China death penalty, China crimes