N. Korea - Europe-based slush fund operator in protective custody in third country: Source: ARIRANG NEWS

ARIRANG NEWS

Published on Aug 22, 2016

北 노동당 39호실 유럽총책 망명지 둘러싸고 한•미 등 치열한 물밑작업+김정은, 고위급 잇단 탈북에 피튀기는 처형 예고
Another high-level North Korean official stationed in Europe has reportedly abandoned his post and left to another country.

If confirmed, it will be the second high-profile defection in a week after the regime's deputy ambassador to Britain fled to South Korea... and is likely to deal a heavy blow to the communist state. 

Connie Kim reports. A source well acquainted with North Korea said Monday that a senior North Korean based in Europe who was in charge of managing money for the so-called Office 39 has abandoned his post and is in protective custody in a third country.

Office 39 is a highly secretive department within the ruling Workers' Party that manages North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's personal coffers and slush funds,… making it a critical organization for tracking Kim's illegal money-making operations. 

The North Korean official has reportedly taken a huge amount of money with him, and the source said South Korea, the U.S. and the third country are in close contact to help him seek asylum somewhere, though the official hasn't yet decided which country that will be.

All North Korean funds would be confiscated if he chose the U.S., and his security could be in doubt if he were to enter South Korea.

He reportedly decided to flee after a family member in North Korea was executed because the official was unable to fulfill his duties abroad.

If confirmed, it would be the second report of a high-profile defection in a week... and is sure to add weight to speculation about instability in the Kim Jong-un regime.

North Korea's deputy ambassador to Britain Thae Yong-ho, whose defection was reported last week, has reportedly said one of the reasons for his flight was his disillusionment with the Kim Jong-un regime.

When Thae's case was made public, defectors in South Korea had said that Kim Jong-un would likely execute anyone related to Thae and his defection... and would certainly try to deter additional defections with his current reign of fear. "Seoul's unification ministry had said Pyongyang was likely to carry out provocations in retaliation for the defection, with some analysts saying that could include a long-range missile launch or another nuclear test.

Connie Kim, Arirang News."