North Korean ambassador to Italy ‘disappears’
High ranking official and his wife are said to have fled embassy in Rome
North Korea’s acting ambassador to Italy has reportedly “disappeared”, and is suspected of trying to defect to an unnamed Western country, according to South Korean intelligence.
The news of the possible defection by Jo Song Gil (pictured above) and his wife was reported to South Korean government MPs by Seoul’s National Intelligence Service, who say they have not been able to make contact with the missing official.
A spokesperson for South Korean MP Kim Min-ki told CNN that Jo’s appointment as acting ambassador was reportedly due to finish in November last year. He was last seen at the embassy earlier that month, and has not been seen since.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in said his office had no information about the case, and Korea’s National Intelligence Service says that it has not yet been able to confirm that Jo and his wife are attempting to defect.
According to the Associated Press, a high-profile defection by one of North Korea’s elite would be a “huge embarrassment for leader Kim Jong Un as he pursues diplomacy with Seoul and Washington and seeks to portray himself as a geopolitical player”.
Jo had been acting ambassador to Italy since 2017, when his predecessor was expelled from Rome following North Korea’s sixth nuclear test.
If Jo has defected, he would be the highest profile North Korean official to do so since Thae Yong Ho abandoned his position as deputy envoy to the United Kingdom in 2016.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The six-seven meme that has taken over the worldIn the Spotlight With roots in rap and basketball, the phrase has young people obsessed, and it could be here to stay
-
Five takeaways from Plaid Cymru’s historic Caerphilly by-election winThe Explainer The ‘big beasts’ were ‘humbled’ but there was disappointment for second-placed Reform too
-
A journey through Trinidad’s wild heartThe Week Recommends Experience the island’s natural wonders, from watching baby turtles hatch to visiting an ancient bat cave
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
Kim Ju Ae: North Korea’s next leader?The Explainer Kim Jong Un’s young daughter is being seen as his ‘recognised heir’ following a high-profile public appearance at China summit
-
'Axis of upheaval': will China summit cement new world order?Today's Big Question Xi calls on anti-US alliance to cooperate in new China-led global system – but fault lines remain
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
Wonsan-Kalma: North Korea's new 'mammoth' beach resortUnder the Radar Pyongyang wants to boost tourism but there won't be many foreign visitors to Kim Jong Un's 'pet project'