N. Korean soldier defects across border to South

Yonhap

SEOUL, August 20 (AJU PRESS) - A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea by crossing the border in Goseong, Gangwon Province, military authorities here said on Tuesday.

The soldier, identified as a sergeant, was monitored as he moved south from the military demarcation line (MDL) in the eastern frontline within the operational area of the 22nd Infantry Division.

The defector has been handed over to relevant authorities for investigation and apparently expressed his intention to defect.

The defection comes about two weeks after a North Korean resident crossed the neutral waters of the Han River estuary into South Korea earlier this month.