Defector hails Korean democracy
SEOUL // A high-profile North Korean defector yesterday said that he views the protests that led to the impeachment of president Park Geun-hye as South Korea’s strength.
Although the protests still felt alien to him, Thae Yong- ho, the former North Korean deputy ambassador to London, said he was impressed with the South’s democracy because its government continued to function despite the rallies.
In a closed-door briefing Mr Thae also told South Korean politicians that he found it remarkable that powerful indi- viduals linked to the scandal that brought down Ms Park were questioned by politicians on live television.
Mr Thae is the most senior North Korean diplomat to defect to South Korea. In 1997, the North Korean ambassador to Egypt fled and resettled in the United States. When Mr Thae’s defection was made public in August, Seoul said he went to the South with his family because of his disgust with the North’s government under leader Kim Jong-un and worries about the future of his children.
North Korea did not dispute Mr Thae’s defection but said that he fled to avoid punishment for sexual and financial crimes. Among those who attended his briefing was Lee Byoungho, the director of South Korea’s spy agency. Mr Lee said North Korea’s state media has not been broadcasting video footage of South Koreans holding candlelight vigils against Ms Park since her impeachment because of concerns about such images being circulated among North Koreans.