Defection Across the Yellow Sea: North Korean Resident to South Korea

A North Korean resident has defected to South Korea by crossing the maritime border in the Yellow Sea, known as the Northern Limit Line. This incident, reported by Yonhap news agency and cited by the South Korean military, highlights ongoing defections despite tightened borders during the pandemic.

A North Korean resident has crossed the maritime border in the Yellow Sea and defected to South Korea, according to reports from the Yonhap news agency, citing South Korea's military.

The individual traversed the Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea, a contested maritime boundary off the west coast. When approached for comments, South Korea's defence ministry withheld any remarks about the reported defection.

This incident underscores the continuing trend of defections from North Korea to the South, which had reached an all-time low during the COVID-19 pandemic as Pyongyang enforced stringent border controls.

(With inputs from agencies.)