Police Reported Signs of Defection Twice Last Year by 'Dongbu Jeonseon' Defectors

Archive photo of the Eastern Front.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] It has been revealed that Mr. A, who defected through the eastern front line in 2020, crossed back into North Korea through the same area on New Year's Day, and the police confirmed that they had reported intelligence last year indicating signs of Mr. A's intention to cross back.

According to the police on the 4th, Mr. A, who crossed back into North Korea, had defected through the eastern front line in November 2020. Afterward, he lived in Nowon-gu, Seoul, and it was reported that he had been living in difficult circumstances.

The Nowon Police Station, which was in charge of Mr. A, reported twice in June last year to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency that there were signs of Mr. A's intention to cross back into North Korea. This report was also forwarded to the National Police Agency via the Seoul Police. The police reviewed the intelligence at the time and judged that additional measures were difficult. It is known that no further reports were made afterward.

A police official explained, "Regarding the intelligence at the time, we went through procedures such as deliberation and discussion, and since there were no specific signs of a crime, we judged that it was difficult to take additional measures such as investigation immediately."

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