North Korea’s ambassador to Italy has reportedly defected and sought asylum in a ‘western country’.
Jo Song-gil, acting ambassador to Rome, is said to be in hiding with his wife and two children, according to South Korea’s spy agency.
The 47-year-old has been acting ambassador since 2017.
Kim Min-ki, a government MP told reporters following a briefing: “Acting ambassador Jo Song-gil's term was ending in late November last year and he escaped the diplomatic compound in early November.”
According to the BBC, he is thought to be the son or son-in-law of one of the highest level officials in North Korea.
One source told South Korea’s JoongAng Ilbo Daily: “He sought asylum early last month.”
However it is unclear which country he sought asylum in.
The last major defection was Thae Yong-ho, deputy ambassador to London who fled to South Korea with his family.
