A senior North Korean diplomat defected to South Korea from Cuba, Chosun Ilbo says

SEOUL (Reuters) - A senior North Korean diplomat based in Cuba defected to South Korea in November, a South Korean newspaper said on Tuesday, becoming the highest-ranking North Korean diplomat to escape to the South since 2016.

Before fleeing to the South, Ri Il Kyu, 52, was a counsellor at the North Korean embassy in Cuba, the Chosun Ilbo said citing an interview with Ri.