Doctors performed a five hour operation that saved his life, but discovered a host of serious medical conditions, including chronic diseases and infestation of worms, and ultimately conducted a second surgery to fully stabilize him. He did not regain consciousness until Nov. 21, 2017.

Life in the insular and notoriously repressive country has apparently made the individual fearful that he might not actually be safe even after making it into South Korea. Hospital staff have reportedly hung a South Korean flag in his room and have been making sure he has access to popular music and television, as well as actual psychotherapy.

Now that he is awake and communicating, it is likely that more details about the circumstances of his defection and his life in North Korea will begin to emerge. Given the steadily increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, his escape and survival could prove to be especially significant.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com