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| Thae Yong-ho / Captured from CNN |
By Chyung Eun-ju, Park Si-soo
A former high-ranking North Korean diplomat who fled to the South in 2016 described himself as "nothing more than a modern slave" while recollecting his time in the reclusive state.
Thae Yong-ho, former North Korean ambassador to Britain, made the remark during an interview with CNN in Washington, which aired on Thursday. Thae is visiting Washington to testify before Congress.
He said North Koreans were "frightened" of leader Kim Jong-un because of his "mercilessness."
"He (Kim) faced some challenges inside the leadership of North Korea," Thae said. "That's why Kim Jong-un decided to show he is a man with mercilessness -- so that everyone should be frightened of him.
"I did not want to let my sons to lead a life like me." He went on: "My sons had a long dream of freedom."
Thae defected with his wife and two children but still has family in North Korea. Defectors' relatives are usually sent to prison camps or used by the regime in propaganda.
In a May 2017 interview with CNN, his relatives in North Korea called Thae a "rotten scumbag" who was "not even an animal."
But Thae said he was "very happy" because he was still able to see their faces. "I never imagined that I could see their faces in my life," he said.
Regarding the North-driven nuclear crisis, he said the West and the U.S. should continue "the momentum of maximum pressure and sanctions" and "should even further expand the targeted sanctions."
He also emphasized that dialogue should be opened to let North Korea know it "would be destroyed if they continue the current direction."
Thae said President Donald Trump's unpredictability caused Kim to back down when the North Korean leader was threatening to launch missiles at Guam.
"The unpredictability of President Trump worked to some extent," and that "President Trump should meet Kim Jong-un at least once before taking any military actions against North Korea."
"I think the mood for the possibility of military action is very high," Thae said, elaborating on the fact "Kim Jong-un is determined to reach the goal of nuclear status as well as an ICBM tipped with a nuclear warhead."
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