INTERNEWSTIMES.COM – In a highly unusual incident, a North Korean defector was apprehended by South Korean authorities on Tuesday after attempting to cross the heavily fortified border back to North Korea. The man, in his 30s, stole a bus and drove it towards the Unification Bridge, ignoring orders from soldiers to stop and crashing the vehicle into a barricade.
This incident marks a rare instance of a defector seeking to return to North Korea, a country known for its strict controls and harsh treatment of those who attempt to leave. While over 34,000 North Koreans have defected to the South since the peninsula’s division over 70 years ago, the vast majority have chosen to remain in the South.
The man, who reportedly left North Korea about a decade ago, told police that he had faced difficulties in South Korea and wished to return home. He allegedly stole the bus from a garage in the northern city of Paju in the early hours of Tuesday and was apprehended shortly after.
South Korean authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the man’s motives and any possible mental health issues. The incident has sparked debate about the challenges faced by North Korean defectors in South Korea, highlighting the complex social and economic issues they often encounter.
Under South Korean law, crossing the border to North Korea without government authorization is a serious offense, punishable by up to ten years imprisonment. The man is currently in custody facing potential charges related to the incident. (Red)
