North Korean diplomat Ri Il-gyu, 52, defected to South Korea last November, leaving his post as a political advisor at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba. His defection marks the highest-ranking North Korean diplomat to flee to the South since 2016, according to South Korea's National Intelligence Service.
Ri's decision to defect was driven by disillusionment with the North Korean regime and a bleak future. In an exclusive interview with the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo, Ri revealed that he had considered desertion due to unfair evaluations at work and the regime's refusal to allow him to seek medical treatment in Mexico.
Ri's diplomatic career began in 1999, and he became a key expert on Cuba within North Korea's Foreign Ministry. He lived in Cuba during his adolescence and later studied Spanish at the Pyongyang University of Foreign Languages. His work in Cuba included negotiating the release of the North Korean ship Chong Chon Gang, which was detained in Panama for transporting missiles and aircraft parts from Cuba.
In his last role as political advisor, Ri was tasked with preventing Seoul and Havana from reestablishing diplomatic ties. Despite his efforts, South Korea and Cuba formalized their relations on February 14, marking a crucial turning point. The North Korean ambassador to Cuba returned to Pyongyang in March.
Ri's defection is part of a broader trend of high-ranking North Korean diplomats fleeing the regime. In recent years, the number of North Korean defectors arriving in South Korea has decreased due to increased border surveillance and higher broker fees. However, there has been a rise in defections among those holding high positions within the regime.
Ri's testimony highlights the severe penalties faced by North Koreans attempting to defect, including death. Despite being part of the country's elite and having received praise from Kim Jong-un, Ri believes that reunification is the only way for North Koreans to secure a better future for their children.
- Ri's escape plan was meticulously executed, with him informing his family only six hours before their departure. He chose not to disclose their destination to South Korea, instead suggesting they 'live abroad.' Ri avoids providing details about his escape to protect those who might follow in his footsteps.
- The defection of North Korean diplomats like Ri underscores the challenges faced by the regime's diplomatic service. Recently, a North Korean representative drowned in a lake near Moscow, highlighting the difficulties and dangers faced by those serving the regime abroad.
