The conservative party said in a press conference that Thae, who defected to South Korea in 2016 and "risked his life to seek freedom," joined the party to run for a National Assembly seat.

North Korea's former deputy ambassador to the U.K., Thae Yong-ho, will run as a candidate in the general election in April, the main opposition Liberty Korea Party said Monday.

"He is capable of presenting a path toward peace and reunification from the perspective of 10 million separated families and 25 million North Korean compatriots and can confidently address his views in the international arena," a party spokesman said.

Thae, who has had a high public profile as a talking head in the media here since his defection, said, "I think I've overcome the first hurdle," referring to his nomination. "I seek your active support and hope to walk down the road together."

He will run in a Seoul constituency that has yet to be chosen by the party.