South Korea's spy agency confirmed on Tuesday that a North Korean diplomat based in Cuba has defected to South Korea, marking another high-profile defection from the North's ruling elite in recent years. The National Intelligence Service verified media reports about the defection of a North Korean counselor of political affairs in Cuba, although no further details were provided.
According to reports, the diplomat, along with his wife and children, fled to South Korea in November. The diplomat cited disillusionment with North Korea's political system as the reason for his defection. However, a South Korean government source suggested that conflicts with North Korean Foreign Ministry officials regarding job evaluations may have also played a role in his decision to flee.
