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North Korean diplomat in London defects, says South Korean media North Korean diplomat in London defects, says South Korean media
(35 minutes later)
A senior diplomat from the North Korean embassy in London has defected, according to South Korean media, in the first case of its kind since official ties were established and the embassy opened 13 years ago.A senior diplomat from the North Korean embassy in London has defected, according to South Korean media, in the first case of its kind since official ties were established and the embassy opened 13 years ago.
The diplomat, who vanished earlier this month with his wife and children, was based at North Korea’s suburban embassy in Ealing, west London. He was now seeking asylum in a “third country”, the JoongAng Ilbo said. The diplomat, who vanished earlier this month with his wife and children, was based at North Korea’s suburban embassy in Ealing, west London. He was now seeking asylum in a third country, the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper said.
One of five officials at the embassy, in addition to the ambassador, the diplomat’s job was to keep track of North Korean defectors living in London. He was also tasked with rebutting UK criticism of his country’s human rights record, the reports added. One of five officials at the embassy in addition to the ambassador, the diplomat’s job was to keep track of North Korean defectors living in London. He was also tasked with rebutting UK criticism of his country’s human rights record, the reports said.
According to JoongAng, the missing diplomat was likely to be either Thae Yong-ho, a minister, or Ryu Kyong-jun, third secretary, with the other candidates working in fields unrelated to consular work. According to the JoongAng Ilbo, the missing diplomat was likely to be either Thae Yong-ho, a minister, or Ryu Kyong-jun, a third secretary.
The Foreign Office said on Tuesday it was investigating. The Foreign Office said on Tuesday that it was investigating.
If confirmed, the defection would be a coup for British and other western intelligence agencies. John Nilsson-Wright, head of the Asia programme at Chatham House, said the diplomat could have useful insider information of the secretive regime of Kim Jong-un. If confirmed, the defection would be a coup for British and other western intelligence agencies. John Nilsson-Wright, the head of the Asia programme at Chatham House, said the diplomat could have useful insider information on Kim Jong-un’s secretive regime.
“These senior officials are smart, accomplished, well-trained individuals with high levels of English. If sent abroad they don’t spend their time going to cocktail parties. They will be energetic in other activities, including using foul means or fair,” he said.
Intelligence agencies would want to grill the diplomat on Kim’s leadership, the stability of his regime, and the fate of senior members of the previous government, some of whom have been purged and executed. “They would want insight into the last three or four years since he took over,” Nillson-Wright said.
It was an open question why the diplomat had defected, he added. The reasons might be personal or political or both – from wanting a better life outside North Korea in retirement to being under too much pressure. The country’s embassies were typically poor, with officials instructed to raise cash using all possible means.
Related: The North Korean embassy – would you believe it's here?Related: The North Korean embassy – would you believe it's here?
Nillson-Wright described relations between the UK and North Korea as complicated and variegated. Since 2001 Britain has had an ambassador in Pyongyang. There is an ongoing cultural dialogue, including academic exchanges whereby North Korean students can study at Cambridge university. “These senior officials are smart, accomplished, well-trained individuals with high levels of English. If sent abroad they don’t spend their time going to cocktail parties. They will be energetic in other activities, including using foul means or fair,” he said.
North Korea’s current foreign minister, Ri Yong-ho, is a former ambassador to London, and has close ties with the current incumbent, Hyun Hak-bong. The tipoff that an official had fled came from an anonymous source inside North Korea, NK News reported on Tuesday. Intelligence agencies would want to grill the diplomat on Kim’s leadership, the stability of his regime and the fate of senior members of the previous government, some of whom have been purged and executed. “They would want insight into the last three or four years since he took over,” Nillson-Wright said.
Defecting from North Korea is risky. The regime usually exacts revenge on relatives and friends stuck at home. It has also been known to pursue defectors abroad and, if it finds them, to “mete out draconian punishment”, Nillson-Wright said. Why the diplomat had defected was an open question, he said. The reasons might be personal or political or both – from wanting a better life outside North Korea in retirement to being under too much pressure. The country’s embassies are typically poor, with officials instructed to raise cash using all possible means.
Nillson-Wright described relations between the UK and North Korea as complicated and variegated. Britain has had an ambassador in Pyongyang since 2001. There is an ongoing cultural dialogue, including academic exchanges whereby North Korean students can study at Cambridge university.
North Korea’s foreign minister, Ri Yong-ho, is a former ambassador to London, and has close ties with the current incumbent, Hyun Hak-bong. The tipoff that an official had fled came from an anonymous source inside North Korea, NK News reported on Tuesday.
Defecting from North Korea is risky. The regime usually exacts revenge on relatives and friends at home. It has also been known to pursue defectors abroad and, if it finds them, to “mete out draconian punishment”, Nillson-Wright said.