Why N.Korea isn't telling citizens about its defector diplomat | NK News
NK News Logo
September 28, 2026Sep 28, 2026
NK News Logo

Get behind the headlines

Weapon Directory

Evergreen

Why N.Korea isn’t telling citizens about its defector diplomat

Defection could make North Koreans question who, exactly, still supports Kim Jong Un
Donald Kirk August 22, 2016
Copy Icon COPY LINK Mastodon Icon MASTODON
Why N.Korea isn’t telling citizens about its defector diplomat
E. Lafforgue

North Korea has an awful public relations problem that transcends mundane questions like how to explain away human rights violations, public executions, forced abortion, torture and all that. They’ve heard that stuff before, many, many times, and have no problem dealing with it. Outraged denials, charges of evil fabrication, accusations of besmirching “the dignity” of leader Kim Jong Un – those are boilerplate responses that statement writers in Pyongyang muster automatically.

What do you do, however, about a senior diplomat who goes missing from one of your most important foreign embassies and turns up in South Korea with his wife

© Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved.
No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group.

Weapon Directory

Get the Daily Update & Podcast Updates

Start your day with
the North Korea stories that matter most –

as selected by

daily-brush-stroke

Never miss a beat. Try the new mobile app.

Recent Stories

New Russian ambassador arrives in North Korea
New Russian ambassador arrives in North Korea
Lee accuses Ukraine of violating pact by revealing North Korean POW transfer
Lee accuses Ukraine of violating pact by revealing North Korean POW transfer
Settling in Seoul: How university helped me find my place in South Korea
Settling in Seoul: How university helped me find my place in South Korea

About the Author

Donald Kirk

Donald Kirk

Donald Kirk is a veteran correspondent and noted author on conflict and crisis from Southeast Asia to the Middle East to Northeast Asia. Don has covered wars from Vietnam to Iraq, focusing on political, diplomatic, economic and social as well as military issues. He is also known for his reporting on North Korea, including the nuclear crisis, human rights and payoffs from South to North Korea preceding the June 2000 inter-Korean summit. Kirk earned his Bachelors at Princeton and a Masters in International Relations from the University of Chicago. He also holds an honorary doctorate of letters from the University of Maryland College Park.

View more articles by Donald KirkGot a news tip?Let us know!
© 2026, Korea Risk Group (NK Consulting Inc.). All Rights Reserved