Highest Ranking North Korean Defector Wins Seat in South Korea Election, Says Pyongyang Must Consider 'New Way'

A former North Korean deputy ambassador has won a parliamentary seat in South Korean elections, four years after abandoning his post and defecting to the South.

Thae Yong Ho, 55, was a North Korean representative in London until he defected in 2016. Thae managed secret funds on behalf of dictator Kim Jong Un before his defection, Reuters reported. The diplomat said he crossed over after becoming increasingly aware of the "gruesome realities" of life under the regime, according to BBC News.

Thae won one of three constituencies in Seoul's up-market Gangnam district in Wednesday's general election, defeating a four term incumbent winning 58.4 percent of the vote on behalf of the conservative United Future Party.

After the result was announced, a smiling and tearful Thae thanked Gangnam residents for their support. "I was dearly afraid if the Gangnam residents would take a guy from the North," he explained. "But so many people here gave me strength. They held my hand, welcomed me to Gangnam and promised to vote for me."

Branded "human scum" by North Korean state media after his defection, Thae said Northern officials should take his victory as a sign of what they could also achieve if they left Kim and his authoritarian regime behind. "I want to tell them that there is a new way for their future," Thae said.

Thae had been working as a foreign policy expert before his parliamentary run, and published two memoirs revealing secret activities and policies within Kim's regime. Northern state media accused Thae of embezzling state funds and sexually assaulting a minor, allegations he rejected.

Thae, who changed his name to Ku-min, meaning "saving people," said he had "risked my life to come to the Republic of Korea seeking free democracy and values in market economy."

He added that he would work to "solve regional issues with the market principles... while pushing for North Korea policy that better reflects the reality there and matches the pride of the South Korean citizens."

President Moon Jae-in, who has spearheaded diplomatic outreach with the North and a closer working relationship with Kim, led his Democratic Party to a comfortable victory in Wednesday's election, capturing 163 seats in the 300-seat National Assembly.

Despite concerns over coronavirus, voters set a new record turnout of 66.2 percent. South Korea has largely stemmed its COVID-19 outbreak, but fears remain that a second wave of infections could break out at any time.

Reuters noted that North Korean issues played a key role in the election. Moon's policy of re-engagement has drawn criticism from some in South Korea, including defector organizations, who argue that the president is prioritizing reconciliation with Pyongyang over human rights concerns.