Senior North Korean Diplomat Defects to South Korea

Ri Il Gyu, a 52-year-old senior North Korean diplomat based in Cuba, defected to South Korea in November, making him one of the highest-level diplomats to leave North Korea for its rival in recent years. Before his defection, Ri served as a political affairs counselor at the North Korean embassy in Cuba, where he played a role in obstructing diplomatic relations between North Korea, South Korea, and Cuba. His decision to defect stemmed from disillusionment with the regime and dissatisfaction with how his work was evaluated. This high-profile defection highlights ongoing challenges within North Korea, including struggles under sanctions and diplomatic reshuffling. Details on North Korean defections often surface after clearance procedures, with Ri recognized for negotiating the release of a North Korean ship detained in Panama in 2013.