A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea by crossing the militarized border in the eastern part of the Korean Peninsula. The soldier was taken into custody by South Korean guards.
Key Points
Defection occurred in Goseong county on the east coast of the Korean Peninsula
Soldier was a staff sergeant
Most North Korean defectors escape through China or other third countries
Pros
Increased freedom and opportunities for the defected soldier
Potential valuable information for South Korean intelligence
Cons
Risk of retaliation against the soldier's family in North Korea