[imText1]A North Korean border guard who defected on the 15th was arrested on the afternoon of 20th by the Chinese border garrison of Sanhe in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture.
.The captured North Korean soldier was identified as Kim Jong Chul (19) a soldier stationed at the border posts in the regions of North Hamkyung. It was revealed that Chinese authorities will repatriate Kim back to North Korea shortly.
At the time of arrest, Kim was armed with an automatic AK rifle, 5 magazines, 30 cartridges and sword.
An affiliate of the Chinese border garrison said, “Though Kim was armed with weapons, he will be treated as any other defector and repatriated back to North Korea as long as he did not commit any crimes on Chinese territory.”
According to a North Korean source, Kim escaped from the guards after he was involved in a violent incident on the 11th at the border guards where he was posted in the regions of Rajin, North Hamkyung.
Aware of the high possibility of Kim’s escape to China, North Hamkyung border guards dispatched a “special caution” to lookout posts in the northern border guards in Hoiryeong, Sambong and Jonsung.
Nevertheless, Kim succeeded in passing through the encircling net surrounding the border guards and defected to China on the 15th. It was assumed that Kim crossed the Tumen River on the morning of 15th, arriving at Kaishantun in the regions of Yanbian Prefecture,
The following day, Kim went to a farm in the neighborhood of Sanhezhen where he asked for and ate a meal. On requesting some money from home owner, Kim was faced with strong resistance and hence fled to the nearby northern mountains.
[imText2]The farmhouse owner surprised at Kim’s sudden appearance immediately informed the Chinese border garrison. After Kim had crossed the North Korean-Chinese border on the 15th, North Korean authorities had already requested assistance from the Chinese border garrison.
The Chinese border garrison immediately dispatched soldiers in the neighborhood of Sanhezhen and shortly located Kim.
Once soldiers were dispatched, a notice was distributed throughout the neighborhood residents with a picture and description of Kim. The police also strengthened regulations at Longjing toll gates in Yanbian Prefecture.
The notice stated, “Kim Jong Chul, 19 years, 158cm, round face dark in color, dark eyebrows, tubby lips.”
The notice also indicated cautionary measures which informed, “Do not work in the mountains alone,” “If you meet Kim Jong Chul, do not have contact with him. After avoiding him, inform the nearest police office.”
Whenever the Chinese border garrison needs a lead for an important case, prize money is offered. The prize money begins at 300~500 Yuan for normal cases and 1,000~2,000 Yuan if the case is important. The prize money offered for Kim was 10,000 Yuan.
The Chinese police launched a thorough investigation on the 17th, expanding their search to the regions of Zhixin and Dexin.
In the end, Kim was arrested in the hills within 5 days of his escape and 1km from the farmhouse where he sought a meal. An affiliate of the garrison said, “Kim was on the verge of starvation at the time of arrest. He submissively surrendered to the Chinese police without much resistance.”
The affiliate added, “North Korean authorities sought cooperation while even providing identification on Kim. Once Kim’s identity is confirmed, he will be repatriated back to North Korea as soon as possible as were the requests made after basic investigations are complete.”
