[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] The North Korean Man Who Departed from Haegumgang

General Park Jung-hwan, Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attended the National Defense Committee plenary session at the National Assembly on the 17th and reported on the situation of the defector from the 22nd Division. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Doubts are growing about the identity of the North Korean man who defected by crossing the sea near Goseong, Gangwon Province on the 16th. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) have not disclosed the exact occupation he held in North Korea, citing ongoing joint intelligence investigations, but many suspicions arise regarding the claim that he was an ordinary North Korean citizen.

On the 23rd, a government official stated, “The North Korean man testified that he came from Haegumgang, but it is premature to conclude that he held a specific job such as a railway bureau official, as rumored inside and outside the military.”

The JCS, while announcing the investigation results that day, did not reveal the exact occupation he held in North Korea, citing ongoing joint intelligence investigations.

However, the JCS explained that besides his main job, he was involved in fishing-related work as a side job and was familiar with water. If the North Korean man swam for six hours at night wearing a diving suit and flippers, arriving at our East Sea coast, it is highly likely that he was engaged in fishing.

A JCS official emphasized, “Although the waves were high that day, the current flowed from north to south, and given the defector’s familiarity with the sea, swimming was possible. He was involved in a side job related to fishing and was accustomed to water.”

The fact that the man is in his 20s adds to the suspicion. The usual military service period in North Korea is 10 years, and for special forces, it extends to 13 years. This means the probability of a North Korean man in his 20s being a civilian is very low. The military authorities did not specify the man’s exact age but responded that they would not refute the media reports stating he is in his 20s.

A government official said, “At that time, North Korea was not showing any special movements in preparation for Kim Jong-un’s birthday and other events,” and added, “No propulsion devices, as suggested by some media, were found.”