Pig farmer 'defects to North Korea'

A South Korean pig farmer has defected to North Korea across the heavily-fortified Demilitarized Zone, according to state media in Pyongyang.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kang Tong-rim, was now under "the warm care of authorities" and was "pleased with his accomplishment".

Crossings through the zone between the two Koreas are rare, and defections from South to North even more so.



South Korean officials said they were checking the reports.

A military spokesman acknowledged there had been signs of cuts in the barbed wire fence to the east of the Demilitarized Zone, which is also strewn with landmines.

The KCNA said Kang Tong-rim harboured "a longing" to defect and had tried on many previous occasions to escape across the border.