S Korea says top North diplomat defected to Seoul

AFP, SEOUL: South Korea said Wednesday that North Korea’s deputy ambassador to Britain had defected to Seoul, in what amounts to a major loss of diplomatic face for Pyongyang.
The Unification Ministry said Thae Yong-Ho—the number-two at the North’s mission in London—had defected together with his family and they were now in the South Korean capital.
“They are under government protection and are going through necessary procedures with related institutions,” ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-Hee told reporters.
Jeong declined to reveal Thae’s defection route, citing the diplomatic sensitivities involved for the concerned countries.
“On his reasons for defection, Minister Thae cited disgust with (North Korean leader) Kim Jong-Un’s regime, admiration for South Korea’s free, democratic system and the future of his family,” Jeong said.
Defections by North Korean diplomats of Thae’s stature are extremely rare.
South Korea’ JoongAng Ilbo newspaper, which first reported Thae’s defection on Tuesday, said he had been under pressure from Pyongyang to combat growing international criticism of North Korea’s human rights record.
North Korean defectors have been making headlines recently, largely due to an unusual group defection to Seoul in April by a dozen waitresses and their manager who were working at a North Korean-run restaurant in China.
In July, an 18-year-old student, who was in Hong Kong for an international maths contest, reportedly sought asylum in the South Korean consulate in the city.
The Unification Ministry said Thae’s defection reflected the loss of faith among North Korea’s elite in Kim Jong-Un’s leadership.
“Awareness that the North Korean regime has reached its limit is spreading and the solidarity of its ruling class is weakening,” Jeong said.

S Korea says top North diplomat defected to Seoul

AFP, SEOUL: South Korea said Wednesday that North Koreas deputy ambassador to Britain had defected to Seoul, in what amounts to a major loss of diplomatic face for Pyongyang. The Unification Ministry said Thae Yong-Hothe number-two at the Norths mission in Londonhad defected together with his family and they were now in the South Korean capital. They are under government protection and are going through necessary procedures with related institutions, ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-Hee told reporters. Jeong declined to reveal Thaes defection route, citing the diplomatic sensitivities involved for the concernedcountries. On his reasons for defection, Minister Thae cited disgust with (North Korean leader) Kim Jong-Uns regime, admiration for South Koreas free, democratic system and the future of his family, Jeong said. Defections by North Korean diplomats of Thaes stature are extremely rare. South Korea JoongAng Ilbo newspaper, which first reported Thaes defection on Tuesday, said he had been under pressure from Pyongyang to combat growing international criticism of North Koreas human rights record. North Korean defectors have been making headlines recently, largely due to an unusual group defection to Seoul in April by a dozen waitresses and their manager who were working at a North Korean-run restaurant in China. In July, an 18-year-old student, who was in Hong Kong for an international maths contest, reportedly sought asylum in the South Korean consulate in the city. The Unification Ministry said Thaes defection reflected the loss of faith among North Koreas elite in Kim Jong-Uns leadership. Awareness that the North Korean regime has reached its limit is spreading and the solidarity of its ruling class is weakening, Jeong said.