North Korea diplomat flees to South in highest ranking envoy defection since 2016 – report

North Korean diplomat defecting to South Korea could deal a blow to leader Kim Jong Un

Reports say Cuba-based diplomat Ri Il Kyu fled to South Korea with his wife and children in November.

A North Korean diplomat in Cuba defects to South Korea

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s spy agency said Tuesday that a senior North Korea diplomat based in Cuba has fled to South Korea, the latest defection by members of the North's ruling elite that likely hurt leader Kim Jong Un's push to bolster his leadership.The National Intelligence Service said media reports on the defection of a North Korean counselor of political affairs in Cuba were true. A brief statement by the NIS public affairs offic…

North Korean diplomat in Cuba defected to South Korea in November, a possible blow to leader Kim Jong-un

South Korea’s spy agency said that a senior North Korea diplomat based in Cuba has fled to South Korea, the latest defection by members of the North’s ruling elite that likely hurt leader Kim Jong-un’s push to bolster his leadership.

Eight years ago, there was no instance of a diplomat in such a high position escaping to the South.

A North Korean Diplomat in Cuba Defected to South Korea in November, a Possible Blow to Leader Kim

South Korea’s spy agency said that a senior North Korea diplomat based in Cuba has fled to South Korea, the latest defection by members of the North's ruling elite that likely hurt leader Kim Jong Un's push to bolster his leadership.

A North Korean diplomat in Cuba defected to South Korea in November, a possible blow to leader Kim

North Korea has previously expressed fury over some high-profile defections by accusing South Korea of kidnapping or enticing its citizens to defect.