iStock/Thinkstock(SEOUL, South Korea) — Thirteen North Koreans who worked together at a restaurant overseas have defected to South Korea, Seoul officials said.
Seoul officials said it was one of the largest known group defections in recent years, according to BBC, and North Koreans who worked at restaurants abroad had defected before.
A spokesman for South Korea’s Unification Ministry said according to BBC that the group included one man and 12 women who arrived on Thursday.
Officials did not disclose the name or the location of the restaurant the group came from.
North Koreans who are chosen to work abroad are regarded as very loyal to Pyongyang. According to BBC, North Korea operates about 130 restaurants in other countries, earning reportedly $10 million per year.
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