North Korean diplomats abroad most likely VIPs to defect

The overwhelming majority of refugees who flee North Korea are generally those who live in border areas adjacent to China and do not have prominent government or economic positions.

Few are from Pyongyang because it is very difficult for citizens to travel within the country unless police and internal security officials approve the travel. Meanwhile, crossing the demilitarized zone along the 38th parallel is extremely difficult because land mines are planted in that border area, and border guards are ordered to kill illegal border crossers.

The few senior government officials who have managed to escape generally are officials in the Foreign Ministry who are living abroad on diplomatic assignments. One of the top priorities of the sizeable security forces attached to every North Korean embassy abroad is to prevent North Korean personnel from escaping.

In most cases, officials’ children, spouses or other close family members are required to remain in North Korea – almost as hostages – to ensure that diplomats serving abroad will return to Pyongyang. Frequently a story comes out of parents, children or siblings who are imprisoned, executed or otherwise punished after a relative defects while serving in a post abroad.

Concern over losing diplomats abroad puts a serious strain on North Korea’s internal security forces. Currently, Pyongyang has diplomatic missions in 46 countries and international organizations, a decline from 53 diplomatic posts in 2022. By comparison, South Korea maintains 166 resident embassies, consulates, and permanent missions, all significantly larger than North Korean posts in the same locations.

The most recent defecting North Korean diplomat Ri Il Gyu served in the North Korean embassy in Havana,