Defector's Plight: North Korean Man Attempts Return to Beloved Homeland

A North Korean defector in his 30s attempted to return to North Korea by ramming a stolen bus into a barricade near the border. Struggling to adapt to life in South Korea, the incident highlights the challenges faced by defectors from the North.

A North Korean defector living in South Korea was detained on Tuesday after ramming a stolen bus into a barricade near the heavily militarised border, in an apparent attempt to get back to the North, according to Yonhap news agency.

The incident, which occurred at around 1:30 a.m. at the Tongil Bridge in Paju, northwest of Seoul, saw the man ignoring warnings from soldiers and attempting to drive through. Local police referred queries to provincial police authorities, who could not be reached for comment.

The man, aged in his 30s and who had defected more than a decade ago, told police that he was struggling to settle in the South and wanted to return to North Korea. While it is rare for defectors to attempt a return, adapting to life in South Korea remains a significant challenge for many. As of June, around 34,200 North Koreans have resettled in the South after perilous journeys, though some have returned to the North, sparking debate over their treatment in South Korea.

(With inputs from agencies.)