Vetted North Korean student defects in Hong Kong

A North Korean student in Hong Kong is seeking asylum in the city. A 18-year-old male student, who was not identified, took refuge at the South Korean consulate in Hong Kong, according to local newspaper Ming Pao.

The student was part of an official delegation in Hong Kong this month for the International Mathematical Olympiad at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST).

Walk-in defections are relatively common at South Korean missions in South-East Asian countries which are the target destination for North Koreans escaping their country through China.

But defections by members of official delegations travelling abroad are rare, because they are carefully vetted before being granted exit visas and closely monitored during their stay overseas.

[AFP]

This entry was posted in China, North Korean refugee by Grant Montgomery.