Thae Yong-ho
Thae Yong-ho | |
---|---|
태영호 | |
Nationality | North Korean |
Occupation | Diplomat |
Known for | Defection |
Thae Yong-ho (Korean: 태영호) is a former North Korean diplomat. He was North Korea's deputy ambassador to the United Kingdom, prior to defecting with his family to South Korea in 2016.[1][2] The South Korean government have confirmed that Thae and his family are under their protection.[2]
Thae's family includes a son born in Denmark, when Thae was serving as a diplomat there, and who was studying at a London school.[3] The son had recently been offered a place at Imperial College London.[3] However, the family had been recalled to Pyongyang just before Thae's defection.[4]
According to BBC reports, Thae is convivial, and enjoys Indian food, playing golf and tennis.[4] In 2015, he escorted Kim Jong-chol, the older brother of Kim Jong-un, to an Eric Clapton concert in London.[5]
See also
References
- ^ "North Korea's deputy ambassador defects in London: reports". Reuters. 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
- ^ a b "North Korea diplomat defects to South". BBC News. 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
- ^ a b Harding, Luke (2016-08-17). "High-ranking North Korean diplomat in London defects to South Korea". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
- ^ a b Evans, Steve (16 August 2016). "My friend the North Korean defector". BBC News. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
- ^ Sang-hun, Choe; Gladstone, Rick (2016-08-17). "North Korea's No. 2 Diplomat in London Defects to the South". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-08-18.