Most Popular
-
1
Controversy rekindled over when to name criminals, suspects
-
2
Seoul transit pass for travelers to be available starting July
-
3
Hybe-Ador CEO conflict gets messier
-
4
Battery makers ramp up efforts to diversify graphite supply chain
-
5
Prosecutors to summon pastor who allegedly gave Dior bag to first lady
-
6
‘Monk’ DJ spreading Buddhism goes global
-
7
[LLG] Unseen inheritance: Trauma of transnational adoption 'trickles down' to adoptees' children
![[LLG] Unseen inheritance: Trauma of transnational adoption 'trickles down' to adoptees' children](//res.heraldm.com/phpwas/restmb_idxmake.php?idx=644&simg=/content/image/2024/05/12/20240512050141_0.jpg&u=20240512163544)
-
8
[KH Explains] Hyundai Motor’s plan for new landmark keeps hitting bumps
![[KH Explains] Hyundai Motor’s plan for new landmark keeps hitting bumps](//res.heraldm.com/phpwas/restmb_idxmake.php?idx=644&simg=/content/image/2024/05/13/20240513050626_0.jpg&u=20240513192803)
-
9
Court's ruling set to shape path of medical school expansion
-
10
Loans of self-employed swell 50% in four years
![[LLG] Unseen inheritance: Trauma of transnational adoption 'trickles down' to adoptees' children](http://res.heraldm.com/phpwas/restmb_idxmake.php?idx=644&simg=/content/image/2024/05/12/20240512050141_0.jpg&u=20240512163544)
![[KH Explains] Hyundai Motor’s plan for new landmark keeps hitting bumps](http://res.heraldm.com/phpwas/restmb_idxmake.php?idx=644&simg=/content/image/2024/05/13/20240513050626_0.jpg&u=20240513192803)
NK diplomat directly flew into S. Korea for defection: source
By 임정요Published : Aug. 19, 2016 - 11:28
A Britain-based senior North Korean diplomat directly flew to South Korea after expressing his wish to defect to the Seoul government, a source said Friday.
Thae Yong-ho, who served as a minister at North Korea's embassy in London, and his family arrived in South Korea late last month without going through a third country, according to the source familiar with the matter.
The 55-year-old Thae, known as the No. 2 man at the North's embassy, has become one of the highest-level North Korean diplomats to desert the repressive regime, South Korea's unification ministry said Wednesday.
"Thae is believed to have expressed his intent to defect to South Korea," the source said. "He is known to have directly flown to Seoul from London."
The unification ministry said Thae defected because of his disillusionment with North Korea under leader Kim Jong-un and aspiration for freedom and democracy. Concerns for a better future for his children were also factored into his decision, it added.
North Korean diplomats and workers at foreign nations are hard pressed to repatriate money to North Korea which faces tougher international sanctions over its nuclear and missile provocations.
Thae Yong-ho, who served as a minister at North Korea's embassy in London, and his family arrived in South Korea late last month without going through a third country, according to the source familiar with the matter.
The 55-year-old Thae, known as the No. 2 man at the North's embassy, has become one of the highest-level North Korean diplomats to desert the repressive regime, South Korea's unification ministry said Wednesday.
"Thae is believed to have expressed his intent to defect to South Korea," the source said. "He is known to have directly flown to Seoul from London."
The unification ministry said Thae defected because of his disillusionment with North Korea under leader Kim Jong-un and aspiration for freedom and democracy. Concerns for a better future for his children were also factored into his decision, it added.
North Korean diplomats and workers at foreign nations are hard pressed to repatriate money to North Korea which faces tougher international sanctions over its nuclear and missile provocations.
He was known to be in charge of promoting North Korea's national image in Britain in the face of international sanctions.
Experts said that Thae might have been under huge pressure in doing his job amid sanctions including Washington's blacklisting of the North's leader over human rights abuses.
Some analysts said that he might have chosen to desert the North's regime mainly because of concerns that his children, mostly raised in Europe, will have difficulty in adjusting to life in North Korea if they return to Pyongyang.
Foreign media reports said that he was scheduled to return to North Korea this summer after a 10-year-stay in London. The Seoul government declined to confirm the reports.
Another source said that the North's leader Kim has ordered the families of North Korean diplomats and overseas workers back to the country following Thae's defection. The move appears to be aimed at using them as hostages to curb further defections, it said. (Yonhap)
Experts said that Thae might have been under huge pressure in doing his job amid sanctions including Washington's blacklisting of the North's leader over human rights abuses.
Some analysts said that he might have chosen to desert the North's regime mainly because of concerns that his children, mostly raised in Europe, will have difficulty in adjusting to life in North Korea if they return to Pyongyang.
Foreign media reports said that he was scheduled to return to North Korea this summer after a 10-year-stay in London. The Seoul government declined to confirm the reports.
Another source said that the North's leader Kim has ordered the families of North Korean diplomats and overseas workers back to the country following Thae's defection. The move appears to be aimed at using them as hostages to curb further defections, it said. (Yonhap)
