This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-42068429

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
North Korea defector wakes after being shot crossing the DMZ North Korea defector wakes after being shot crossing the DMZ
(about 2 hours later)
A North Korean soldier who was shot at least five times while defecting to the South has regained consciousness.A North Korean soldier who was shot at least five times while defecting to the South has regained consciousness.
The soldier asked to watch television and is being shown South Korean films, Yonhap news agency reports.The soldier asked to watch television and is being shown South Korean films, Yonhap news agency reports.
"We believe the most life-threatening moment has now passed," a government official told the agency."We believe the most life-threatening moment has now passed," a government official told the agency.
The soldier made his escape over the demilitarised border last week and was shot at more than 40 times before reaching safety, the South says.The soldier made his escape over the demilitarised border last week and was shot at more than 40 times before reaching safety, the South says.
Medical staff say that he is traumatised from his ordeal.Medical staff say that he is traumatised from his ordeal.
"To provide psychological stability a South Korean flag has been placed hanging on the hospital room wall," the government official told Yonhap."To provide psychological stability a South Korean flag has been placed hanging on the hospital room wall," the government official told Yonhap.
The identity of the soldier, who had been in a critical condition, has not yet been announced.The identity of the soldier, who had been in a critical condition, has not yet been announced.
He crossed to the South Korean side of the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the village of Panmunjom on 13 November.He crossed to the South Korean side of the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the village of Panmunjom on 13 November.
He had to finish his journey on foot when a wheel on his vehicle came loose - but he made it across and was found under a pile of leaves, the South said.He had to finish his journey on foot when a wheel on his vehicle came loose - but he made it across and was found under a pile of leaves, the South said.
On Friday, it emerged he had an infestation of worms in his body, contaminating his wounds and making his situation worse. His condition was said to give a rare insight into life in North Korea.
About 1,000 people from the North flee to the South each year - but very few defect via the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), which is one of the world's most heavily guarded strips of land.About 1,000 people from the North flee to the South each year - but very few defect via the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), which is one of the world's most heavily guarded strips of land.
It is even more unusual for North Koreans to cross at the JSA, which is a tourist attraction, and the only portion of the DMZ where both forces stand face-to-face.It is even more unusual for North Koreans to cross at the JSA, which is a tourist attraction, and the only portion of the DMZ where both forces stand face-to-face.
North and South Korea are technically still at war, since the conflict between them ended in 1953 with a truce and not a formal peace treaty.North and South Korea are technically still at war, since the conflict between them ended in 1953 with a truce and not a formal peace treaty.
Seoul says more than 30,000 North Koreans have defected to the South since the end of the Korean War in 1953.Seoul says more than 30,000 North Koreans have defected to the South since the end of the Korean War in 1953.
The majority of the defectors flee via China, which has the longest border with North Korea and is easier to cross than the heavily protected DMZ.The majority of the defectors flee via China, which has the longest border with North Korea and is easier to cross than the heavily protected DMZ.
China though regards the defectors as illegal migrants rather than refugees and often forcibly repatriates them.China though regards the defectors as illegal migrants rather than refugees and often forcibly repatriates them.