A North Korean diplomat to the South was apprehended after crashing a stolen vehicle close to the border in a failed attempt to return to his remote country, according to officers on Wednesday.
According to Gyeonggi Bukbu municipal officers, the suspect crashed into a wall on a gate west of the heavily fortified demilitarized zone ( DMZ) between the two Koreas in 2011 while trying to re-enter the North aboard the stolen vehicle.
An analyst told AFP, explaining the boy’s reasons for the intended crossing, that “he lives under difficult financial circumstances as a building worker and misses his household still in the North.”
The think, who is in his 30s, is being charged with fraud and breaking national security, the inspector added.
Defectionors frequently travel in the same way, usually via China after crossing the Yalu River, which separates it from North Korea, on rare occasions.
Since the 1950-53 Korean War, more than 34, 000 North Koreans have resisted moving to the South, but it is common for some to attempt to do so.
A former North Korean diplomat who had been employed as a receptionist made his way back to the North by crossing the northeast DMZ in January 2022.
Between 2012 and 2021, 31 sympathizers returned to the North, according to the Unification government in Seoul.
Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their worst in decades, with Seoul suspending a military package and resumed advertising channels in comment. Pyongyang is now conducting more weapons tests and bombarding the South with balloons carrying garbage.
Trending
- How to Use Generative AI for the Online Shopping Experience
- How Does Tim Walz Explain His Stolen Valor Controversy? CBS Moderators Didn’t Bother Asking
- Palestinians in West Bank risk crossing Israel’s separation barrier to flee failing economy
- The Morning Briefing: JD Vance Did a Great Job Against Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan
- Defector arrested in failed bid to return to North Korea on stolen bus
- Philippines’ Taal volcano erupts, says seismology agency
- Former British PM claims Queen Elizabeth II was battling with bone cancer before death
- Japan to keep nuclear, boost renewables in its energy mix, new industry minister says