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N. Korean math genius seeks asylum to S. Korea’s Consulate in Hong Kong

N. Korean math genius seeks asylum to S. Korea’s Consulate in Hong Kong

Posted July. 29, 2016 07:29,   

Updated July. 29, 2016 08:27

한국어

A North Korean teenager, a math genius who won a medal at an international math competition in Hong Kong, defected his country and is asking for asylum to the South Korean consulate in Hong Kong.

According to Hong Kong’s Ming Pao newspaper and sources, one of six North Korean high school students who participated in the 57th International Mathematical Olympiad at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology held from July 6 through July 16 entered the South Korean consulate to ask for political asylum.

The 18-year-old student is said to be a child of the privileged class of the North Korean Workers’ Party, and among the six participants, he is reportedly one of three students who participated the competition at least twice and won a medal (won two gold medals and one silver). According to the Hong Kong local newspaper, the South Korean consulate reported this to the South Korean Foreign Ministry and asked for his protection to the Hong Kong government, delivering his photo and information.

“We cannot confirm‎ facts for the defector’s safety and our relationships with relevant countries,” said Cho Joon-hyeok, spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry. “For the sake of the defector’s safe journey, the government has a basic stance that it will do its best efforts including cooperation with relevant countries.”



베이징=구자룡특파원 bonhong@donga.com · 조숭호기자 shcho@donga.com