A man who has escaped from North Korea is reported to have done so by vaulting a 3m high fence.
The DMZ.
Image Credits: Business Insider.
This is an especially rare incident, because not only was the man an ex-gymnast in his 20s who vaulted a 3m high military fence, but he took a route out of the country that not many have in the past.
Since 1948, over 32,000 people have escaped North Korea and the regime, but most have done so through China and the north border, or even by boat getting to the south.
It’s very uncommon for a person to attempt escape through the DMZ (de militarised zone) on the North/South border, as there are mines, barbed wire fences and armed guards everywhere.
Not only that, the DMZ stretches from coast to coast, and is around 2.5 miles wide.
The man in question has now been captured and is believed to be being held by South Korea. He is reportedly a civilian trying to defect to the south.
Despite there being so many mines, barb wired fences, and guards, no alarm was triggered whilst the man was making his escape.
There is an investigation underway as to why this is.
