Ten people believed to be North Koreans seeking asylum have entered a South Korean school in China.

South Korean officials say the people entered the school Tuesday in the city of Qingdao, along China's eastern coast.

Earlier this month, South Korean diplomats took custody of another group of people believed to be North Koreans who entered the same school asking to be sent to South Korea.

No decision on their status has been announced.

Beijing has an agreement with Pyongyang to return asylum seekers, but has allowed many to travel to South Korea through third countries.

Hundreds of North Koreans have broken into embassies and foreign schools in China in recent years seeking asylum.