The defectors are facing a return to the hermit nation, ruled by despot Kim Jong-un, after being apprehended by Chinese police yesterday.
They were held along with an assistance worker who helped arrange their escape from the oppressive regime, the senior source told Yonhap.
Chinese authorities have reported the incident to the South Korean Consulate in Shenyang.
The consulate asked the Chinese police to handle the case from a humanitarian perspective.
Beijing often deports Pyongyang defectors back to Kim’s nation under a pact with North Korea – an ally of China.
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Defectors returned to North Korea reportedly face severe punishment, which often includes torture and public execution.
The incident comes amid deepening tensions between Pyongyang and the US as Trump embarks on his tour of Asia.
Kim ramped up his rhetoric of war yesterday, warning the US President will receive “merciless punishment” for his “foolish remarks”.
North Korea’s newspaper of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) the Rodong Sinmun published a comment piece that accused Mr Trump of “seriously stimulating” North Korea with his words.
The paper said the President must heed assertions from other US experts that he must “halt the reckless blackmail and take hands off the Korean affairs”.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) carried an English report of the article which stated: “Nobody can predict when Trump does a reckless act.
“The only and one way for checking his rash act is to tame him with absolute physical power.
“If the US misjudges (North Korea’s) toughest will and dares to act recklessly, the latter will be compelled to deal a resolute and merciless punishment upon the former with the mobilisation of all forces.
“The US has no energy to prevent it. Then its regret is too late.”