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Thu, June 1, 2023 | 02:08
Seoul denies rumors on top-level asylum bid
김정일 장남 김정남 한국 망명설
Posted : 2012-11-01 18:57
Updated : 2012-11-01 18:57
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By Lee Tae-hoon

Senior government officials denied speculation Thursday that Kim Jong-nam, elder half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has requested political asylum in South Korea.

"Rumors of Kim Jong-nam's asylum request have turned out to be based on a misleading message circulating on social media," a Ministry of Unification official said.

"We have yet to receive intelligence suggesting that he will defect to South Korea."

A Cheong Wa Dae official also ruled out the possibility that Jong-nam has expressed any intent to defect.

The 41-year-old has lived a life of reclusive luxury in Macau, allegedly under the protection of the Chinese government, since he was caught in 2001 trying to enter Japan on a fake passport.

A local media outlet reported Thursday that Kim has requested asylum in a foreign country and that he is under the custody of the South Korean government.

Jong-un, who succeeded their father Kim Jong-il as head of the communist regime, reportedly plotted an assassination attempt on his elder brother.

Some say that Jong-nam may seek asylum if Jong-un, believed to be in his late 20s, does not guarantee him a secure life abroad.

They say it will be unlikely for Jong-nam to return to North Korea or hold any significant title under his brother's reign as it could be interpreted as a challenge to him.


김정일 장남 김정남 한국 망명설
북한 김정일 국방위원장의 장남인 김정남(41)이 최근 우리 정부에 망명 요청을 했다는 설이 제기돼 정보당국이 경위 파악에 나섰다. 중앙일보는 1일자로 “김정남이 최근 제3국에서 우리 정보 채널을 통해 망명을 요청한 것으로 안다. 당국이 신병을 확보한 상태라고 들었다.”는 복수 북한소식통의 말을 인용, 보도했다. 중앙일보 외에도 많은 언론은 청와대와 통일부, 국가정보원 등에 사실 확인을 요청했다. 국정원 관계자는 “31일 일본의 한 소셜네트워크서비스(SNS)에 김정남 망명설에 대한 글이 잠깐 올라왔는데, 이게 와전된 것 같다.”고 밝혔다. 청와대 고위 당국자도 “김정남 망명은 사실이 아니다.”라고 말했다. 또 국회 정보위 윤상현(새누리당) 의원은 지난 29일 국정감사때 “김정남의 행방에 대해 파악하고 있느냐.”고 원세훈 국정원장에게 물었고 원 원장은 “말씀드리기 곤란하다.”는 답변을 했다. 김정남은 김정일의 유력한 후계자로 거론됐지만 지난 2001년 5월 일본 나리타(成田)공항에 가짜 여권으로 입국하다가 들통이 나는 등으로 김정일의 눈밖에 났고 후계 구도에서 밀려났다. 이후 그는 마카오에 체류하며 카지노를 즐겨온 것으로 전해진다. 김정남은 2010년 9월 노동당 3차 대표자회에서 김정은이 후계자로 추대된 이후 외신을 통해 북한의 3대 세습을 비판해 왔다. 한편 김정남은 김정일과 성혜림(2002년 5월 사망) 사이에 태어났으며 김정은(28) 국방위 제1위원장의 이복형이다. 성혜림은 1960년대 말 김정일과 동거한 이후 71년 김정남을 낳았다. 하지만 수년 후 김정일에게 버림을 받아 심장병과 우울증에 시달리다 모스크바에서 사망했다. 성혜림의 조카인 이한영(언니 성혜랑의 아들)도 82년 한국으로 망명했으나 97년 경기도 분당의 자택에서 북한 공작원이 쏜 총에 맞아 숨졌다. 성혜랑도 96년 유럽의 한 국가로 망명했다. 한국에는 김정남의 외삼촌(성혜림의 오빠) 성일기씨가 살고 있다.
Emailleeth@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
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