Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

North Korean defector 'abducted' and returned home as Seoul police investigate

Lim Ji-hyeon had escaped to China and appeared on cable TV in neighbouring South to discuss experiences under Kim Jong-un regime before reappearance in Pyongyang

Kim Tong-Hyung
Wednesday 19 July 2017 02:20 EDT
Comments
Lim Ji-hyun appearing in a North Korean propaganda video posted online in which she insists she returned voluntarily
Lim Ji-hyun appearing in a North Korean propaganda video posted online in which she insists she returned voluntarily (Uriminzokkiri/YouTube)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

South Korean police are investigating how a North Korean woman who defected and appeared on cable television shows in South Korea ended up back in the North.

An official from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said the woman who was known as Lim Ji-hyeon in South Korea left the country earlier this year for China.

The official says police will try to determine whether the woman returned to the North willingly or was abducted.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of office rules.

The police official also said Lim is clearly the same woman who appeared in a North Korean propaganda video on Sunday.

The woman said was living with her parents again after returning to the North in June and described her life in the South as hellish.

Associated Press

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in