High-Ranking North Korean Diplomat Defects to South Korea from Cuba
A senior North Korean diplomat, Ri Il-kyu, defected to South Korea in November, becoming the highest-ranking North Korean envoy to do so since 2016. Ri, who was responsible for political affairs at the North Korean embassy in Cuba, cited disillusionment with the regime and a bleak future as reasons for his defection. The South Korean unification ministry has not confirmed the report due to privacy concerns.