North Korean Diplomat Defects to South Korea Amid Growing Disillusionment

A North Korean diplomat, Ri Il Kyu, based in Cuba has defected to South Korea with his family, citing disillusionment with North Korea's political system and conflicts over job evaluations. The defection is the latest in a series of defections by North Korean diplomats in recent years.

South Korea's spy agency confirmed on Tuesday that a North Korean diplomat stationed in Cuba has defected to South Korea.

The National Intelligence Service corroborated media reports about the defection of a North Korean counsellor of political affairs in Cuba, though no further details were provided.

According to South Korea's Chosun Ilbo newspaper, the diplomat, named Ri Il Kyu, fled to South Korea with his wife and children last November.

Ri's defection is part of a growing trend of North Korean diplomats seeking refuge in South Korea over the past few years.

The Chosun Ilbo cited Ri as attributing his decision to defect to his disillusionment with North Korea's political system, while Yonhap news agency, referencing an unnamed South Korean government source, reported that Ri fled due to workplace conflicts with North Korean Foreign Ministry officials.

South Korea's unification and foreign ministries have not confirmed the reports concerning Ri's defection.

Approximately 34,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea since the end of the Korean War in 1953, in an effort to escape economic hardships and political oppression.