Overview

• South Korean forces detected the man in neutral waters of the Han River estuary late on July 30 and recovered him at around 4 a.m. on July 31 after extended monitoring.
• The 2nd Marine Division used surveillance north of the Northern Limit Line to track the swimmer from off Gyodong Island and took him into custody upon crossing.
• Believed to have tied plastic foam to his body, the defector navigated strong currents in a rare maritime escape to the South.
• This case marks the second defection under President Lee Jae Myung’s administration since June, following a civilian crossing of the DMZ on July 3.
• Authorities have transferred the individual to resettlement and security screening procedures and confirmed there were no unusual actions by North Korean forces.