North Korean defector swims for 10 hours to freedom
Maritime border between North and South Korea
A North Korean defector swam across the Northern Limit Line (maritime border) tied to styrofoam and requested asylum upon rescue.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported the rescue took about 10 hours, ending around 4 a.m. local time.
The swim occurred near Ganghwa Island, a frequent but perilous defection route.
This was the second recorded defection under the Lee Jae-Myung administration
Sources: SCMP, JoongAng Daily
95 year old North Korean POW’s dying wish is to return home
Photo: Committee for the Repatriation of Ahn Hak-sop
Ahn Hak-sop, imprisoned in South Korea for over 40 years after being captured in the Korean War, announced plans to walk across the militarized border to return home.
At a press briefing, he emphasised that he refuses to be buried in what he termed a “colonial state,” indicating deep ideological conviction.
His planned return underscores rare and powerful cases of emotional and ideological bonds to the North persisting even after decades in the South.
North Korea Disclosed Names and Faces of Soldiers who died Fighting for Russia
Kim was photographed emotionally pinning medals on soldiers' portraits and comforting their families.
In a speech, he expressed "heartache and regret" for being unable to protect the soldiers.
He pledged to build a memorial museum and monument in Pyongyang to commemorate their sacrifice.
Sources: The Korea Herald, CNN
IKEA and Starbucks knockoff stores seen in North Korea
According to the account of tourists, Western-style shops, imitating brands like IKEA and Starbucks, are emerging for Pyongyang's upper class.
Modern technology is common in the capital, with residents using mobile apps and QR codes for daily transactions.
Despite sanctions, imitation products are prevalent, prompting brands to address intellectual property infringement.
