North Korean defector jailed for sending 130 tons of rice 'home'

Some defectors return to North Korea. Yonhap

By Jung Hae-myoung

A North Korean defector who made unauthorized contact with the North's secret police to deliver 130 tons of rice and to return to the country has been sentenced to two and half years' jail.

The Suwon District Court made the ruling Tuesday.

The defector, Lee, 49, twice sent rice to the North Korean government. She also transferred 80 million won to pay a broker for arranging the deliveries.

Lee escaped from North Korea in 2011 and has been working in the entertainment business in South Korea. Since last year, she has been clandestinely keeping in touch with a broker and the NK secret police.

“The rice was for my son I left back in North Korea,” Lee said.

But the prosecutor said she sent rice to prove her loyalty to North Korea and to escape punishment when she went back.

“The rice was sent through an official route,” the court said. “It is impossible to transfer such a large amount of rice without prior consultation or contact with NK officials.”