Kim Jong Un wants to block all North Koreans from escaping. It isn’t working.

livemint.com:

SEOUL—Wanting to halt defections to neighboring South Korea, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un has ordered the construction of new border walls, rearmed guard posts and installed more land mines. But North Koreans keep finding creative ways to flee. The latest escape unfolded in spectacular fashion early Tuesday morning: A North Korean soldier, on foot, navigated the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone to his freedom.

It was the first defection by an active-duty soldier since 2019. A U.S. soldier, Travis King, had more recently crossed over the DMZ, having done so last year before ultimately being released.

A recent rise in defections from North Korea’s protected classes are reinforcing outside assessments that Kim is contending with internal discontent that could ultimately threaten his grip on power. North Koreans are battling food shortages, a sanctions-hit economy and a further backslide in human rights. The regime in recent years has increased security and issued shoot-on-sight orders, deterring civilians from attempting to flee.

But those rare North Koreans with the means to leave are increasingly taking the opportunity. So-called elite defections, including diplomats and overseas students, have hit their highest number in years, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Unification. The unnamed North Korean soldier crossed into South Korea on the easternmost part of the DMZ that stretches about 150 miles long and more than 2 miles wide.

He is believed to be in his 20s and holding the relatively low rank of staff sergeant, local media reported, citing unnamed officials. The soldier likely had to wiggle around barbed wire, traipse past land mines and sneak past patrol guards. South Korean soldiers guided his final steps to