Defector Said to Leave China
- Share via
SEOUL — A high-ranking North Korean defector whose case has created new tension on the Korean peninsula was flown out of Beijing today and will be allowed to resettle in South Korea, a Seoul government official said.
The Foreign Ministry official said Hwang Jang Yop, 72, was put on a special plane but would not say where it was headed.
South Korean news reports, however, said the Philippines was the likely destination. From there, Hwang later will be allowed to move to Seoul.
An unscheduled flight arrived at Clark Air Base just north of Manila today, but it was not immediately known if Hwang was on board, an airport official said.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
