South Korea says North Korean soldier in custody after crossing border: Yonhap

South Korea has apprehended a North Korean soldier who crossed the heavily fortified border, in what is believed to be a defection. The military confirmed the soldier's custody on Tuesday night and is currently investigating the circumstances of the crossing.

While tens of thousands of North Koreans have defected to South Korea since the 1950s, most travel through China and then a third country. Crossings over the land border are uncommon due to the challenging terrain, which is dense with forests and landmines, and under constant surveillance by soldiers from both nations.

North Korean defectors are typically screened by Seoul's intelligence agency upon arrival. Data from the Unification Ministry indicates that over 34,000 North Koreans have escaped to the South. In 2024 alone, 236 North Koreans arrived in South Korea, with women constituting 88% of this total. The North Korean regime often denounces its defectors with harsh language, referring to them as "human scum."

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The military secured one North Korean soldier in the central front Tuesday night and relevant authorities are currently investigating the details.