FUGITIVE North Korean diplomat Thae Yong Ho revealed yesterday that he decided to flee his post in London last year because he didn’t want his children to live “miserable” lives.

Mr Thae, who has settled in South Korea, said that he had been lucky to bring both of his sons to London, unlike other North Korean diplomats who have been forced to leave some children at home as “hostages.”

He said that, after they had learned about life in Britain, they began asking about why North Korea barred use of the internet and executed people without proper legal procedures.