TOP-LEVEL DEFECTIONS

• Feb 97: Hwang Yop

-Top nK Ideological Leader

Helped Develop Nat’l Chuche’ Philosophy of “Self-reliance”

• Aug 97: nK Ambassador to Egypt and a Russian Trade Representative defected to the United States

Feb 98: NKA soldier defects across DMZ

Feb 98: Kim Dong-Soo
3rd Secretary at nK embassy in Rome

HWANG YOP

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HWANG-YOP DEFECTED TO THE ROK ON FEB 12, 1998 FROM NORTH KOREA

- FIRST HIGH LEVEL OFFICIAL TO DEFECT

- HELPED DEVELOP THE CHUCHE PHILOSOPHY

- HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE IN EARLY AUG 97, HE TALKED ABOUT THE TROUBLING TIMES WITH THE LACK OF ECONOMIC REFORM AND FOOD SITUATION

nK AMBASSADOR TO EGYPT AND HIS BROTHER A TRADE REPRESENTATIVE FOR RUSSIA (ALONG W/THEIR FAMILIES) DEFECTED TO THE UNITED STATES IN LATE AUG 97.

FEB 3, 1998: A nK OFFICER DRESSED IN AN ENLISTED UNIFORM DEFECTED ACROSS THE DMZ

FEB 6, 1998: 3RD SECRETARY AT THE nK MISSION FOR THE FOOD AND ARGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION DEFECTED TO THE ROK, ALONG W/WIFE AND SON.

- STATED THAT THE NUMBER OF DEATHS TOTAL 2-3 MILLION

- CHILDREN DIED FROM STARVATION ON THE STREETS

- FOOD SITUATION HAD GOTTEN WORSE