South Korean seaman killed attempting to defect

(Source - 열린공감TV, 9.28 ) Victim officially reported missing at 1251 pm Sep 21. Missed his 1200 to 1700 pm wheelhouse watch.

(Source - 열린공감TV, 9.28 ) Position of Mugungwha maritime patrol ship south of Yeonpyeong Island, at point where shoes were found on stern. Red star 2.2 km south of the smaller Yeonpyeong Island, (below the pointer), 13 km south of NLL.

(Source - 열린공감TV, 9.28 ) An unidentified fire light estimated at 10 pm, Sep 22 north of Northern Limit Line. Believed killed by North Korean gun fire while adrift in water.

Lee was a crewman on the Mugunghwa number 10, West Sea Division of Fisheries Regulation cutters, Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries Affairs. He intended to defect to North Korea. There are several circumstances pointing to this. One deck CCTV camera was inoperative on the vessel on Sept 18. Later, it was determined that the other deck camera was also inoperative. Lee left the steering house watch for unexplained reasons during early morning hours of the midwatch on September 21. At 1135 am, when shipmates noticed he didn't show for mess, they searched the ship and surrounding waters. Man overboard was reported to maritime authorities at 1251 pm. His shoes were found on the deck, stern starboard side. He was wearing a life jacket. He took another floatation device with him large enough to support his upper body above the water. Military authorities confirmed later from unspecified classified communications that Lee had indicated he intended to defect to North Korea. It was widely known by relatives and acquaintences that he was deep in gambling debts he was unable to pay, and that his wife was separated from him pending divorce.

(Source- Channel ANews Top 10 7.27)
Route of South Korean defector to North on July 19, 2020.


In Sept 2013 South Korean sentries observed a South Korean male approaching the Imjin River in an attempt to defect to North Korea. He failed to obey their commands to stop and return to the south and ran into the river. They shot him dead as he tried to cross to North Korea. On July 19, 2020, a former North Korean defector did successfully cross the Han River from Gangwha Island back into North Korea and was accused of bringing the corona virus with him by the North Koreans.