All articles tagged with #defection
UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch apologised for a party statement referencing Suella Braverman's mental health after her defection to Reform UK, calling the remark wrong and retracting it; Braverman criticised the line, while Badenoch described defectors as 'drama queens' in a later speech amid a wave of Tory MPs joining Reform UK and ongoing debates over centrism and immigration.
Brooks Koepka has become the first player to leave LIV Golf, raising questions about his potential return to the PGA Tour, which requires a one-year absence after joining LIV. His departure marks a significant shift in professional golf, with Koepka prioritizing family and personal reasons, and the PGA Tour acknowledging his move while emphasizing its competitive environment.
Two North Korean prisoners of war held by Ukraine have expressed their desire to start a new life in South Korea, thanking the South Korean people and indicating their wish to defect, amid concerns over their safety and the potential threat of repatriation to North Korea.
A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea across the heavily fortified border, marking the first such defection since August 2024, amidst ongoing tensions and military build-up on both sides.
A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea across the heavily fortified border, marking the first such defection since August 2024, amid ongoing tensions between the two Koreas.
A North Korean civilian successfully defected to South Korea by crossing the heavily mined and surveilled DMZ, with the South Korean military assisting in a 20-hour operation, marking a rare direct land crossing since most defectors escape through third countries.
A North Korean man crossed the heavily fortified border into South Korea and is in custody, with South Korean military guiding him out of the demilitarized zone; the incident occurs amid heightened tensions and recent border skirmishes between the two Koreas.
A North Korean man unarmed and crossing the heavily fortified DMZ was found and safely guided to South Korea, marking a rare and risky border crossing amid ongoing tensions and diplomatic efforts to improve relations between the two Koreas.
A North Korean man crossed the heavily fortified border into South Korea and is in custody, prompting an investigation amid ongoing tensions and recent border incidents between the two Koreas, with efforts by South Korea to improve relations.
Maxim Kuzminov, a Russian helicopter pilot who defected to Ukraine, was found dead in Spain, raising suspicions of Russian involvement. Kuzminov had fled Russia with sensitive military information, and his murder in Villajoyosa was captured on security cameras, showing two assassins using a silencer. The case is under investigation by Spanish authorities, with evidence suggesting Russian Special Services' involvement. Kuzminov's death highlights concerns over Russia's reach in targeting defectors and critics abroad.
Hyunseung Lee, a former North Korean soldier, warns that North Korean troops deployed to Russia are unprepared for combat against Ukrainian forces. Despite being equipped with advanced technology, these troops lack real battle experience and training with modern weaponry, making them vulnerable. Lee suggests that the soldiers, who are unlikely to be compensated, may consider defecting, as they are not fighting for their homeland or families. He emphasizes that the North Korean regime has deceived them, and the war is not worth fighting for.
A senior North Korean diplomat based in Cuba, Ri Il Kyu, has defected to South Korea with his family, citing disillusionment with North Korea's political system and inadequate medical treatment in Cuba due to sanctions. This defection is part of a recent trend of high-level defections from North Korea, which experts believe could further isolate the regime and potentially encourage more defections. North Korea has not responded to the defection but has historically accused South Korea of enticing its citizens to defect.
A high-ranking North Korean diplomat stationed in Cuba has defected to South Korea, marking the most significant defection since 2016. The diplomat, identified as Ri Il Kyu, cited disillusionment with the North Korean regime and a bleak future as reasons for his defection. This comes amid heightened tensions between the two Koreas, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently abandoning reunification goals and branding Seoul as "Enemy number One." South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has promised better support for defectors and has taken a more hawkish stance towards North Korea.
A high-ranking North Korean diplomat, Ri Il Kyu, has defected to South Korea, citing his disillusionment with the regime and bleak future prospects. This marks the highest-level defection in eight years and follows a series of similar defections in 2016.
A senior North Korean diplomat based in Cuba, Ri Il Kyu, has defected to South Korea with his family, citing disillusionment with North Korea's political system and inadequate medical facilities in Cuba. This defection, confirmed by South Korea's National Intelligence Service, is part of a growing trend of high-profile North Korean defections. Ri's defection occurred before South Korea and Cuba established diplomatic ties in February, which experts believe was a political setback for North Korea.