S. Korea confirms citizen defected to N. Korea, but disputes time

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Oct. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Thursday confirmed the identity of its
citizen whom North Korea said earlier this week defected across the heavily armed
border between the divided states.

But the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) in Seoul disputed the North Korean claim that
Kang Tong-rim, a 30-year-old farmer on a police wanted list, made the crossing on
Monday.
"We believe the defection took place in the daytime on Tuesday," the JCS said in
a statement, adding footprints were found trailing northward behind two layers of
barbed wire that had been partly torn open.
Kang is on "Class A wanted list," a JCS official said, speaking on condition of
anonymity, adding that the commander of the army division that oversaw the area
has been sacked.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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