Historic Defection: North Korean Diplomat Escapes to South

Ri Il Kyu, a senior North Korean diplomat based in Cuba, defected to South Korea in November with his family. This marks the most significant defection since 2016. Ri cited disillusionment with the regime as his motive. The defection highlights ongoing issues and risks faced by North Korean defectors.

A senior North Korean diplomat based in Cuba defected to South Korea in November, marking the highest-ranking defection since 2016, according to South Korean media reports on Tuesday. Ri Il Kyu, 52, along with his wife and child, made the perilous escape, media sources confirm.

Before his defection, Ri served as a counsellor at the North Korean embassy in Cuba, tasked with preventing diplomatic ties between South Korea and Cuba, Chosun Ilbo reported. The South Korean unification ministry, which manages inter-Korean affairs, declined to comment due to privacy concerns.

Ri explained that his disillusionment with the North Korean regime and an unfair evaluation of his work spurred his decision to defect. This decision was cemented when his request for medical treatment in Mexico was denied. Last year, North Korea closed several embassies, signaling diplomatic and economic struggles due to sanctions.

(With inputs from agencies.)