Top North Korean Diplomat Defects to South Korea

Ri Il Kyu, a senior North Korean diplomat based in Cuba, defected to South Korea with his family in November. This marks the highest-ranking North Korean defection to the South since 2016. Ri explained his decision stemmed from disillusionment with the regime and unfair work evaluations.

In a significant diplomatic shift, Ri Il Kyu, a senior North Korean diplomat stationed in Cuba, defected to South Korea with his family last November. This event marks the highest-ranking defection from North Korea to the South since 2016. Ri, 52, formerly a counsellor at the North Korean embassy in Cuba, had a vital role in preventing diplomatic ties between North Korea's rival, South Korea, and its old ally, Cuba.

South Korea's unification ministry has yet to comment on the defection, citing privacy concerns. According to reports, Ri's responsibilities at the embassy included thwarting diplomatic relations between South Korea and Cuba, which both countries eventually established in February. Ri disclosed that he did not mention South Korea in his plans but referred to living abroad when he informed his family about the defection mere hours before their departure.

Adding to the wave of high-profile defections, a North Korean diplomat based in Paris and his family are currently seeking asylum in the U.S. Meanwhile, North Korean defectors into South Korea have decreased due to stringent border controls and high brokerage fees. Nonetheless, recent defectors have resided mostly overseas prior to their escape. This change in dynamics reflects the impact of international sanctions on North Korea's diplomatic network.

(With inputs from agencies.)