Following last month’s mass defection from China, some workers at another North Korean restaurant abroad have escaped the country, Seoul’s Unification Ministry confirmed Tuesday, indicating they are likely on their way to the South.

Two to three servers at a diner in China have been taking refuge in Thailand awaiting their flight to Seoul, according to news reports Monday. But speculation varied over the facility’s location, from Xian to Shanghai to Hangzhou.

“It is true that employees at an overseas North Korean restaurant have run away from there. But we cannot confirm their current circumstances,” the ministry said in a statement. 

A ministry official also agreed, saying, “Brokers are usually involved in any defections and they have control of the information network and means of their transportation so that they do not report to the government each time. Our diplomatic mission was also not aware of the latest report.”

The revelation came about one month after the fleeing of a group of 13 servers of a North Korean bistro in the northeastern city of Ningbo.

Observers have noted that their relatively high social status, minimum middle-class background and overseas experience likely allowed them easier access to South Korean culture and outside information while Pyongyang’s isolation is deepening in the face of tightening international sanctions.

The communist regime is estimated to run some 130 restaurants in about 12 countries including Vietnam and Cambodia, fetching a total of around $10 million every year.

By Shin Hyon-hee (heeshin@heraldcorp.com)