Allegation of Collective Escape of 10-Odd DPRK High-Ranking Elites 'Including Kim Jong Gak's Son' Raised...Government 'Unable To Confirm

This is a pretty sensational and unconfirmed report translated from the Chosun Ilbo's Korean language web site. I have not yet found this in any of the other usual news services because most likely everyone is focused on the missile test.  But we will probably see this picked up soon if there is any hint of truth to this (and even if not because of the sensational nature of the report).  If true this is the most significant defection (or rather an attempted escape) since Hwang Jong Yop but more so since although some seem to have been policed up in China, it would appear not only are there problems within higher ranking members of the regime, the fact that such a large number of people from this level could escape into China shows a break down within the security system.  This could be an important indicator of what is happening within the regime elite. Escaping as a group shows that there is an ability to conspire in spite of a security system designed to prevent any such conspiracy.   It will be interesting to learn whether any of these escapees have made it to the South and what they are saying about what may be going on inside the regime.  Unfortunately this was forwarded to me without a link,

V/R

Dave

Seoul Chosun Ilbo Online in Korean 06 Dec 12

Allegation of Collective Escape of 10-Odd DPRK High-Ranking Elites 'Including Kim Jong Gak's Son' Raised...Government 'Unable To Confirm

It is alleged that more than 10 high-ranking elites, including the son of Vice Marshal Kim Jong Gak [Kim Cho'ng-kak] who was suddenly dismissed from his position as the minister of the People's Armed Forces in North Korea recently, have escaped from the North as a group.

Dailian, an Internet media organization, reported on 6 December that a source on the North knowledgeable about Pyongyang said, "The North Korean authorities are on alert due to young elites' mass escape from the North" and added, "A special team consisting of 40 members was urgently formed on this account and sent overseas last month."

According to this media organization, the source said, "Of the 10-odd high-ranking elites (who escaped from the North), two were arrested in China last month and repatriated to North Korea, and I heard that four got into the US Embassy in Vietnam in top secrecy" and also commented, "The whereabouts of the rest of them are not yet confirmed."

Saying that "an asylum project is currently underway among the North Korean high-ranking circles and the atmosphere is that of young elites going along with it in large numbers," the source stated, "Though the North Korean authorities are remaining silent at present, the son of Vice Marshal Kim Jong Gak, who was suddenly removed from his post as the minister of the People's Armed Forces recently, was included among the more than 10 who escaped from the North this time."

It was confirmed that prior to this, North Korea replaced, only after six months, Vice Marshal Kim Jong Gak, who was appointed in last April as the minister of the People's Armed Forces, which is equivalent to our country's defense minister, and appointed General Kim Kyo'k-sik, a military hardliner who took the lead in the sinking of the warship Cheonan and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island. The reason for the replacement of Kim Jong Gak as the minister of the People's Armed Forces is not clear, and it is not confirmed whether he was demoted from his current rank of vice marshal.

In connection with this, the media organization reported that an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said, "I cannot confirm this matter, as it is related to the safety of the North Korean escapee individuals," and the ROK Embassy in Vietnam said, "We have neither grasped nor been notified (of the fact that North Korean escapees went into the US Embassy)."

In regard to the Dailian report, a government official stated that it is "an issue that cannot be confirmed."