A woman who defected from North Korea has been found dead, with a local media outlet reporting Friday that she had been under the protection of local police.
The victim's body was found at an apartment in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, at 10:55 a.m., Wednesday, according to local police. The body was already severely decayed. Police presume her death occurred in early August.
Officials launched an investigation after finding evidence suggesting a crime, suspecting the victim's boyfriend to be the culprit. He was found to have left the country sometime last month. Police have requested cooperation from Interpol.
According to local broadcaster YTN, the victim was under protection of police as a former defector from the communist North. Defectors from North Korea are to receive regular contacts and protection from local law enforcement in the initial stages of settlement in South Korea.
The victim had defected earlier this year.
Reports showed that police had been unable to contact the woman for about a month. The lack of contact led police to visit her home, forcing entry and finding the body.
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com
