Negotiators Discuss N. Korean Defectors

German diplomats negotiated with China over the fate of 15 North Koreans holed up in a German government-run school in Beijing, the German Embassy said.

The 15, who jumped a wall to enter the school compound Tuesday afternoon, spent the night in the school building and were provided with blankets, water and food, an embassy spokesman said, speaking on condition of anonymity. He would not say whether the group had asked for asylum.

Dozens of North Koreans fleeing famine and repression in their isolated Communist homeland have been allowed to leave for South Korea this year after seeking asylum in foreign embassies and consulates in China.