A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea by crossing the militarized border in the eastern part of the Korean peninsula, according to reports from Yonhap news agency. The soldier was picked up by South Korean military and authorities are currently investigating the incident.
Defections across the border between North and South Korea are considered rare and risky. The defector was wearing their North Korean military uniform when they were found walking along the waterfront in eastern Gangwon province. This is the second defection across the border in just two weeks, indicating rising tensions between the two countries.
The number of successful defections dropped in 2020 due to Covid-19 border closures in North Korea. However, after border controls eased in 2023, the number of defectors making it to the South almost tripled last year. More elite diplomats and students have been seeking to escape North Korea.
The recent defections come at a time of heightened tensions between the Koreas, with North Korea ramping up weapons testing. Last week, North Korean tour operations announced the country would reopen to foreign tourists this winter. The motives behind these recent defections are still being investigated by South Korean authorities.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by North Korean citizens and the complex relations between the two countries.
Source
Photo credit www.theguardian.com