It has been confirmed that one North Korean resident defected via sea late last month. The South Korean military explained that they tracked and monitored the individual for over 10 hours, confirmed his intention to defect, and then carried out a rescue operation.
According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other sources, our military first identified an unidentified individual using surveillance equipment north of the Han River’s neutral water zone on the night of July 30, and tracked his movements for over 10 hours through a perimeter operation.
Military sources stated that the individual was spotted by soldiers from the 2nd Marine Division while swimming, tied with Styrofoam, in the sea off Gyodong Island in Ganghwa County, Incheon.
At around 4:00 a.m. on July 31, the military rescued the individual, who had been signaling for help by waving his hand on a coastal combat craft in the area south of the Han River’s neutral water zone. The rescue point was at a depth of 11 meters (about 36 feet), and it was reported that water was rising after low tide.
At that time, the Navy asked the individual, “This is the Republic of Korea Navy. Do you wish to defect?” After confirming his intention to defect, they secured him as a new recruit. This information was also shared with the United Nations Command.
A Ministry of Unification official related to the matter explained that they are currently conducting a joint government investigation, so it is difficult to provide detailed information at this time.
Meanwhile, a military official announced that personnel and units that contributed to the operation will be rewarded.