North Korean Resident Crosses South Korean Sea Border to Defect, Yonhap Reports

Representation photo: A small wooden boat, center, is towed into a port in Yangyang, South Korea, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (Yonhap via AP)
Representation photo: A small wooden boat, center, is towed into a port in Yangyang, South Korea, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (Yonhap via AP)
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North Korean Resident Crosses South Korean Sea Border to Defect, Yonhap Reports

Representation photo: A small wooden boat, center, is towed into a port in Yangyang, South Korea, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (Yonhap via AP)
Representation photo: A small wooden boat, center, is towed into a port in Yangyang, South Korea, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. (Yonhap via AP)

A North Korean resident has crossed the maritime border in the Yellow Sea and defected to South Korea, the Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday, citing South Korea's military.
The resident crossed the Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea, a contested sea border off the west coast, said Reuters.
South Korea's defense ministry declined to comment when asked about the report.
The number of North Korean defectors arriving in the South had hit an all-time low during the pandemic when Pyongyang moved to tightly seal its borders.



China's Xi Calls for De-Escalation Between Israel and Iran ‘as Soon as Possible’ 

This handout picture made available by Kazakhstan's Presidential Press Office shows Chinese President Xi Jinping during the "Central Asia – China" summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, 17 June 2025. (EPA/ Kazakhstan’s Presidential Press Office Handout) 
This handout picture made available by Kazakhstan's Presidential Press Office shows Chinese President Xi Jinping during the "Central Asia – China" summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, 17 June 2025. (EPA/ Kazakhstan’s Presidential Press Office Handout) 
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China's Xi Calls for De-Escalation Between Israel and Iran ‘as Soon as Possible’ 

This handout picture made available by Kazakhstan's Presidential Press Office shows Chinese President Xi Jinping during the "Central Asia – China" summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, 17 June 2025. (EPA/ Kazakhstan’s Presidential Press Office Handout) 
This handout picture made available by Kazakhstan's Presidential Press Office shows Chinese President Xi Jinping during the "Central Asia – China" summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, 17 June 2025. (EPA/ Kazakhstan’s Presidential Press Office Handout) 

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for the de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East “as soon as possible” and said China is “deeply worried as Israel’s military operation against Iran has caused a sudden escalation of tensions in the Middle East.”

Xi, on a visit to the Kazakh capital Astana late Tuesday, added that China “opposes any actions that infringe upon sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of other countries.”

He added that “China is ready to work with all parties to play a constructive role in restoring peace and stability in the Middle East.”

China has already called on all its nationals to leave Iran, with whom it has long maintained close trade and political ties.