North Korean DEFECTors Found Dead In Seoul Apartments: His Body Defends, Wears Winter Clothing

The Demilitarization Zone separates North Korea from South Korea. (Wikimedia Commons/Kussy)

JAKARTA - A North Korean defector was found dead in his apartment located in Seoul, prompting local authorities to launch an investigation to determine the cause of his death.

Launching the Korea Times on October 26, authorities believe the figure died nearly a year ago, considering his body had rotted and was found wearing winter clothes. He said the figure was 49 years old.

According to police in Yangcheon District, his body was found on October 19 by a Seoul Housing and Community Corporate official, a city-owned public rental house provider, who has tried to contact him to renew his apartment rental contract.

The official finally opened the door of his apartment, where he found the body. Police plan to conduct an autopsy on the body, to determine the cause of death.

The authorities said the figure had no family or relatives in South Korea.

Meanwhile, the Unification Ministry said the figure entered South Korea in 2002 after fleeing North Korea.

He then started working at the Korea Hana Foundation, a ministry-run organization that supports North Koreans trying to live in South Korea. As he builds a good reputation among other defectors, he is reportedly a case of resettlement that has been successful by several media.

However, his former co-workers said they lost contact with him after he left work in 2017.

Speaking to reporters, an official at the ministry expressed regret at the case and pledged to improve the system, in order to keep an eye on those who may need extra attention.

According to the rules, the ministry is only monitoring North Korean defectors who are not included in the local government's welfare program list, and he is not on the ministry's watch list, the official said.

Until last year, the ministry was responsible for examining the living conditions of all North Korean defectors. However, the ministry complied with last year's National Assembly request to reduce the number of duplicate studies, which were also conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Menteri Unifikasi Kwon Young-se telah berjanji untuk meningkatkan hak asasi manusia bagi semua warga Korea Utara, termasuk mereka yang berjuang untuk menyesuaikan diri dengan masyarakat Korea Selatan.

In general, North Korean defectors report a healthier and more satisfying life in South Korea. According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Unification in 2021, more than 76 percent of respondents said they were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with their lives in the Ginseng Country.

However, those who are "unsatisfied" choose to "live without a family" as the biggest reason (29.8 percent) of their dissatisfaction.

To note, North Korean defectors remain in touch and provide financial assistance to their families in their hometowns.