Seoul – Two members of North Korea’s delegation to the Asian Video games in Japan want to search asylum, South Korea’s Month-to-month Chosun journal reported on Tuesday.
Citing a supply it recognized as an official from Japan’s Cupboard Intelligence and Analysis Workplace, the journal stated the 2 had been amongst a 180-member North Korean delegation attending the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Video games, which opened Saturday.
The 2 North Koreans expressed a choice to hunt asylum in Japan moderately than South Korea and have communicated their intention to not return house, the report stated.
Their identities and positions inside the delegation weren’t disclosed, and it remained unclear whether or not their reported outreach would in the end result in a defection, in keeping with Month-to-month Chosun.
The journal stated the data was obtained by means of a supply related to Japan’s intelligence equipment and linked to the pro-Pyongyang Common Affiliation of Korean Residents in Japan, often called Chongryon.
North Korea despatched about 180 athletes and officers to the Video games, together with Sports activities Minister Kim Il Guk, in keeping with media stories.
Reporters couldn’t instantly attain the Japanese authorities for touch upon a nationwide vacation in Japan.