Young couple arrested while trying to flee across the China-North Korea border near Hoeryong

Two young North Koreans were recently arrested after trying to defect over the Chinese-North Korean border near Hoeryeong, North Hamgyong Province. The two are currently being investigated by the authorities.

A source in the province told Daily NK on Friday that the two young people are lovers. The man, surnamed Chae, is in his late 20s and originally from Hamhung. The woman, surnamed Kim and a fourth-year student at Hamhung Pharmaceutical College, is in her early 20s and originally from Hoeryong. After first being interrogated by the border patrol, they were sent to the Ministry of State Security office in Hoeryong.

The two began a relationship one year ago and reportedly enjoyed watching South Korean movies and dramas together. Chae, who had encouraged his girlfriend to watch South Korean shows, later told her “how great” it would be to go live in South Korea together, according to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Then, at around 1 AM on June 2, the couple attempted to cross the Tumen River. Upon being discovered by a contingent of border guards hidden near the river, however, the two were arrested.

After being severely beaten by the border guards, the two confessed to “attempting to defect,” and were ultimately sent to the Ministry of State Security office in Hoeryong.