North Korean Soldier Defection May Have Caused Change Of Entire Border Security

North Korea apparently changed its entire team of border security guards after a North Korean soldier recently crossed the border to go towards South, as told by an unnamed intelligence source Thursday.

According to a report on Yonhap News Agency, a South Korean news organization, the source said: “Signs were detected that North Korea has replaced all border security officials following the defection."

“Given this situation, commanders of the responsible military unit and senior officers might have undergone punishment,” he continued.

On Wednesday, the United Nations Command (UNC) released a video which showed the shooting and rescue of North Korean soldier who was seen limping across the border as he was shot five times.

The UNC on Wednesday also said that this was the second time North Korea violated the 1953 Armistice Agreement as they tried to look for the fleeting soldier while traveling through the neutral Panmunjom village.

The video showed the defector soldier driving a jeep southwards as he tried to cross the Military Demarcation Line (MLD) but had to exit the vehicle due to a defect in the vehicle. Four North Korean guards chased the defector and shot him five times while some of the bullets also flew across the MLD. One of the North Korean guards also crossed the MLD but only for a few seconds after which he retreated back to the North Korean side.

The defection was said to be a rare phenomenon as it was made through the Joint Security Area (JSA) which lies within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) which distinguishes South and North Korea.

The intelligence source stated that North Korea is believed to have temporarily closed the 72-hour bridge which the defector used to drive the jeep towards the northern side of JSA.

The source also added that North Korea has started to inspect the troops coming out of the DMZ more seriously.

The 24-year-old North Korean soldier, who went by the surname of Oh, was reportedly suffering from multiple health problems before getting shot at the border.

According to reports, when the doctors were operating on the soldier after he was shot while crossing the border, they found numerous parasites and also an almost footlong roundworm.

“I spent more than 20 years of experience as a surgeon, but I have not found parasites this big in the intestines of South Koreans,” said Lee Cook-jong, who is the head of the soldier’s medical team.

UNC Commander Gen. Vincent K. Brooks awarded the Joint Security Area Soldiers who were responsible for rescuing the North Korea soldier with the Army Commendation medal during an award ceremony Thursday as stated on U.S. Forces Korea Facebook page.