Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

North Korean civilian defects to Republic of Korea through the estuary of the Han River

At dawn on June 18, a North Korean defected to Republic of Korea through the estuary of the Han River. The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that a North Korean had defected through the Han River estuary, located in the northern part of Gimpobando, at around 2:30 am. The military made sure that the defector was safe, and is investigating the defector’s motivation and route.

It has been reported that the defector is male. The North Korean defector swam across the Han River, wearing branches and styrofoam on his shoulders to help him float.

Our solider guarding the sentry saw him swimming across the river with an observation device and guided him to a safe area.

This is second time that a North Korean has defected to the South this year. 2 out of the 4 North Korean sailors who were drifting on the East Sea and rescued by our authorities early this month hoped to defect to Republic of Korea. On June 13, a North Korean soldier defected to our GP picket. It was the first time in 9 months that a North Korean soldier had defected from the frontline area to the South, following the defection of a soldier occurring in September 29th of the previous year.

By Yeong-Sun, Lee < ys119@dema.mil.kr >

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