Defector’s Expertise

[Anchor Lead]

A global alliance of North Korean defectors say that Thae Yong-ho is likely the most knowledgeable person on North Korea's money sources within Europe. Here’s more in our next report.

[Pkg]

A number of North Korean defectors residing in Britain say that from about two weeks ago, they already had indications of the high-level defection of Thae Yong-ho, who served as minister at the North Korean embassy in London. The news took them by surprise as Thae was the very person in charge of embassy affairs related to ideological education.

[Soundbite] Kim Joo-il(Int'l N. Korean Defectors Alliance) : "He was the one who watched over us. It's stunning that he himself fled the North in aspiration of the free world."

The defectors also say that Thae has the most intelligence regarding North Korea's money sources within Europe.

[Soundbite] Kim Joo-il(Int'l N. Korean Defectors Alliance) : "The families and children of North Korean leaders all studied in Europe and so they were financially supported from within Europe."

This public school near the North Korean embassy in London was where Thae's second son Kum-hyok went to school. But the studious boy was found frequently absent since two months ago.

[Soundbite] Classmate of Thae Kum-hyok

The story points to the perceived strain on the diplomat's family around the time of their defection. Fellow classmates who knew Kum-hyok all wished that he would safetly settle in South Korea.