North Korean defector ‘told daughter on way to school that family were fleeing’ regime – World News

A former North Korean ambassador has said he fled the totalitarian regime in order to give his daughter a better life.

Ryu Hyeon-woo, who was Kim Jong-un’s ambassador to Kuwait, said his former boss believes developing a nuclear arsenal is key to his survival.

Ryu defected to South Korea a year ago – but fears members of his family could face cruel punishment for his actions.

He told CNN that he and his wife had not told their daughter about the plan, pretending they were taking her to school before saying to her: “Come with Mom and Dad to find freedom.”

Now, he said, she is content with her new life, and pleased she can use the internet as much as she wants.

The family presented themselves at the South Korean embassy in Kuwait, and travelled to their adopted country a few days later.

But he said that his three siblings and 83-year-old mother could face cruel repercussions from the Kim regime, which does not tolerate defectors.

Ryu said: “Any thought of them being punished for what I’ve done just hurts my heart.”

He claimed that as an ambassador, he was given targets for the amount of money he was expected to earn for the leader.

The former diplomat said thousands of North Korean labourers were sent to work in Kuwait, with their earnings channelled directly to Pyongyang to support the despot.

He said sanctions against North Korea “should continue”, and described human rights as a “sensitive and serious” issue.

Ryu warned that Kim would never fully abandon his nuclear weapons programme, describing it as “directly linked to the stability of the regime”.

Following years of the chaotic Trump regime, the ex-diplomat was optimistic that new President Joe Biden can make a difference.

“Based on his experience resolving the Iranian nuclear issue, I have no doubt he’ll be able to handle North Korea’s nuclear issue wisely,” he said.