North Korea Soldier Defects Across DMZ
A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea on Saturday by walking across the demilitarized zone that forms the border between the two countries, the Defense Ministry announced.
The ministry said the soldier, identified as Kim Son Il, reached a South Korean military outpost after crossing the heavily fortified border about 40 miles northeast of Seoul.
The defector was from the 2nd Platoon of the 5th Company of North Korea’s 25th Division, the ministry said.
So far this year, at least seven North Korean soldiers, including Kim, have defected to South Korea.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
