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North Korean soldier defects to the South, Yonhap reports
North Korean soldier defects to the South, Yonhap reports
Asia
North Korean soldier defects to the South, Yonhap reports
by DZRH News20 August 2024
FILE PHOTO: South Korean soldiers patrol near the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas in Goseong, about 330 km (205 miles) northeast of Seoul, February 16, 2009. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won/File Photo

SEOUL (Reuters) - A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea early on Tuesday crossing the militarized border in the eastern part of the Korean peninsula, Yonhap news agency reported, citing the South's military.

The soldier crossed into Goseong county on the east coast which borders North Korea and was taken into custody by South Korean guards who had been monitoring his movements, the news agency said.

A South Korean defence ministry official said the military took into custody a person who is believed to be North Korean on the eastern front and authorities were questioning the motives for the crossing. The official declined to provide further details.

Yonhap reported the North Korean soldier was a staff sergeant

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A North Korean resident defected to the South earlier this month at the west coast. Defections by North Koreans across the border are considered risky and relatively rare and most escapees make their way to the South through China or other third countries.

(Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Ed Davies)

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