Former senior North Korean diplomat to Cuba admits he was 'embarrassed' to represent regime

Ri Il-gyu, a former high-ranking North Korean diplomat who defected to the South in November, made his first public appearance on Monday, where he described the "embarrassment" he felt while representing the regime abroad.

Ri Il-gyu, a former counselor at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba who defected to the South in November, left, speaks about "Hereditary Succession and Isolated Diplomacy" during a forum held at the National Assembly in western Seoul on Monday. [NEWS1]

Ri Il-gyu, a former high-ranking North Korean diplomat who defected to the South in November, made his first public appearance on Monday, where he described the "embarrassment" he felt while representing the regime abroad.

Speaking at the North Korea and Unification forum held at the National Assembly, the former counselor at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba, recounted how North Koreans would remove their badges, which bear the image of the country's leaders and symbolize loyalty to the ruling Kim family, before going outside.

"The question I hated most was when people asked which country I was from," Ri said. "How could I feel pride in a country I was ashamed of?"

Ri is the highest-ranking North Korean diplomat to escape to the South since 2016.

Ri is known as a "veteran" diplomat on Latin American affairs. He served two terms in Cuba, a South American nation known for its longstanding relationship with North Korea. He even received a commendation from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for his role.

"I decided to defect because I became disillusioned with the North Korean regime and saw no future," he said.

The forum was organized by the president's People Power Party lawmakers Kwon Young-se and Kim Ki-woong — both of whom served as minister and vice minister of unification under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration.

Tae Yong-ho, the highest-ranking North Korean defector now serving as secretary general of the South's Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, also attended the event.

"I used to play ping-pong with Ri during lunch breaks, trying to beat him, but I never won," Tae said. "Since my defection in 2016, more high-ranking diplomats have defected, and I'm curious about the changing reality in North Korea."

In his lecture, "Hereditary Succession and Isolated Diplomacy," Ri analyzed how North Korea’s isolationist and aggressive diplomacy has intensified under Kim Jong-un.

"During the four nuclear tests, North Korea pursued high-pressure diplomacy, ignoring any negotiations or international cooperation," Ri said. He further noted that the primary strategy during Kim's era was to promote nuclear power and the greatness of the strongman.

Ri also addressed the issue of false reporting by North Korean diplomats, which he said was commonplace for internal propaganda purposes.

"Even countries with strong pro-North Korea sentiments now dislike having the same treatment as the state condemned for its nuclear and missile programs," Ri said. "They refrain from supporting or empathizing with North Korea, even when diplomats try to explain.

"North Korea manipulates these situations, inducing statements of support or positions that were never made, and then publicizes them through the [state media] Korean Central News Agency as if the international community supports North Korea," Ri said.

"Ridiculous orders were given, and there was nothing we could do. When asked whether I was from 'South' or 'North,' it was humiliating to say 'North,'" Ri continued.

Ri concluded his speech by emphasizing the importance of engaging neighboring countries as part of a strategy for Korean reunification.

"I believe one of the biggest reasons is that the four countries with strategic influence on the Korean Peninsula do not desire reunification," Ri said. "South Korea needs to consistently persuade the international community to pressure Kim that he must change."

He also predicted that expanding the dissemination of external news through platforms like social media could significantly impact North Korea.

"In an environment where people distrust and monitor each other, having a tool like social media that allows individuals to confirm their thoughts could threaten the North Korean regime," he suggested.

BY LEE CHANG-HOON,SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]