Three North Korean residents defected to the South by riding on a boat over the West Sea, authorities said Tuesday.

This is the latest in a series of defections by North Koreans, particularly among its elites, including Thae Young-ho, who had been a high-ranking diplomat dispatched to the UK, earlier this month.

Intelligence authorities said that the residents were found by the sea patrol as they passed through the waters near Incheon on a small fishing boat.

The defectors immediately expressed their wish to settle in South Korea, they said. They were brought to Incheon Port and handed over to the security officials.

The officials are currently questioning their status and the route they used to flee.

No further details were available. (khnews@heraldcorp.com)