In a significant development on the morning of October 19, a North Korean soldier crossed the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and defected to South Korea.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that it successfully secured a North Korean defector who crossed the MDL at the central front on October 19. Its forces conducted standard tracking and surveillance operations in the MDL area before executing a routine guidance procedure.
They further stated that relevant authorities will conduct a thorough investigation into the specifics of the defection process. As of now, no unusual activities have been observed from North Korean forces.
This incident marks the first confirmed defection of an active-duty soldier since the inauguration of the Lee Jae Myung administration, and the first such occurrence in approximately 14 months, with the last one dating back to August of the previous year.
The last reported military defection occurred on August 20 of the previous year, when a North Korean soldier crossed the MDL at the eastern front in Gangwon Province, expressing his intention to defect. The individual, who entered the operational zone of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army’s 22nd Division on foot while in uniform, was later identified as a sergeant during the subsequent investigation.
This latest incident represents the third defection of a North Korean national, including military personnel, since the Lee administration took office.
Earlier defections include a man who crossed into South Korea on July 3 by concealing himself in vegetation near a border river and moving under cover of darkness. Subsequently, on July 31, a North Korean civilian successfully defected via the Han River neutral zone in Incheon.