North Korean soldier defects to the South

A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea early on Tuesday by crossing the militarized border in the eastern part of the Korean Peninsula.

SEOUL, South Korea — A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea early on Tuesday by crossing the militarized border in the eastern part of the Korean Peninsula, South Korean media 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 Yonhap news agency said.

A South Korean defense ministry official said the military took into custody a person who is believed to be North Korean on the eastern front and that 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.

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.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-korean-soldier-defects-south-rcna167307

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