NORTH KOREA: South Korea claimed yesterday that Pyongyang’s deputy ambassador to Britain had defected to Seoul.

The Unification Ministry said Thae Yong Ho had fled with his family to the South Korean capital but refused to reveal his route to save third countries from embarrassment.

Spokesman Jeong Joon Hee said: “Minister Thae cited disgust with Kim Jong Un’s regime, admiration for South Korea’s free, democratic system and the future of his family.”