Incredible video shows the moment a defecting North Korean soldier fled across the border with South Korea.
The footage, captured on November 13, shows the unnamed soldier escaping across the border at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Panmunjom village. The spot lies just 53 kilometers north of Seoul and is frequented by tourists seeking the thrill of visiting one of the world's most heavily guarded areas.
The 24-year-old soldier, surnamed Oh, successfully made his way to safety at the South Korean side of the Joint Security Area (JSA) after being shot at more than 40 times.
Initially the soldier was speeding down long empty roads in a jeep, but was forced to abandon the vehicle and finish his mission by foot after a wheel came loose. He was later discovered by South Korean soldiers hidden under a pile of leaves.
He was flown to a Suwon hospital via US military helipcopter in critical condition, where two surgeries were required to remove five bullets from his body. Surgeons had reportedly struggled to improve his condition becuase his body was infested with worms, which contaminated his wounds.
Yesterday news emerged that he had regained conciousness and asked to watch television. He has been watching South Korean and American movies and listening to K-Pop during his stay.
“He is fine," said one of his surgeons at a press conference. "He is not going to die."
The footage from his incredible escape was released by the US-led United Nations Command (UNC) earlier today. While plenty of defectors flee the country — as many as 1,000 a year— most escape via the DPRK's border with China to the north. It's extremely rare for a defection to happen at the DMZ, and it's even rarer to see it all on video.
Watch below (VPN off):
Outside China? Watch on Youtube here.
The UNC said the DPRK army violated the 1953 ceasefire agreement between the North and South by firing weapons across the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and even crossing it for a few seconds. South Korean troops did not return fire.
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