ROK man heads north to DPRK

PYONGYANG: A 30-year-old man from the Republic of Korea (ROK) defected on Monday to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) after crossing the eastern part of the Military Demarcation Line, the official news agency KCNA said yesterday.

Kang Tong-rim, who lived in the southern province of Jolla, was pleased with his "accomplishment," the KCNA said.

Kang, from Polgyo township of Posong county, served in the ROK army from 2001 to 2003. During his service, he made several failed attempts to defect as he longed for the DPRK, the KCNA said.