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High-Ranking North Korean Diplomat Defects, South Says North Korea’s No. 2 Diplomat in London Defects to the South
(35 minutes later)
SEOUL, South Korea — A high-ranking North Korean diplomat who was based in Britain has defected to South Korea, one of the most prominent officials to do so in recent years, the government in Seoul said on Wednesday.SEOUL, South Korea — A high-ranking North Korean diplomat who was based in Britain has defected to South Korea, one of the most prominent officials to do so in recent years, the government in Seoul said on Wednesday.
The arrival of the diplomat, Thae Yong-ho, the No. 2 official in the North Korean Embassy in London, was confirmed by Jeong Joon-hee, a South Korean government spokesman, at a news conference in Seoul.The arrival of the diplomat, Thae Yong-ho, the No. 2 official in the North Korean Embassy in London, was confirmed by Jeong Joon-hee, a South Korean government spokesman, at a news conference in Seoul.
Mr. Thae’s defection was hailed as a major victory for South Korea, whose relations with North Korea have soured in recent years over the North’s nuclear weapons program and missile tests. Mr. Thae’s defection was hailed as a major victory for South Korea, whose relations with the North have soured in recent years over the North’s nuclear weapons program and missile tests.
“He is one of the most senior North Korean diplomats who have defected,” Mr. Jeong said, adding that Mr. Thae’s family had come to South Korea with him. “He is one of the most senior North Korean diplomats” to have defected, Mr. Jeong said, adding that Mr. Thae’s family had come to South Korea with him.