CIA declines to comment on N. Korean diplomat's disappearance in Italy
- 5 years ago
In the United States, the CIA has declined to comment on the disappearance of a North Korean diplomat in Italy... who many believe is trying to defect.
North Korea's former acting ambassador to Rome, Jo Song-gil, has been missing since November.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, a CIA spokesperson said the agency will not speak on the matter because it's the State Department that is generally in charge of handling issues related to asylum seekers.
There've been conflicting reports about Jo's whereabouts.
Some reports have claimed that he's under the protection of the Italian government... and wants to seek asylum in the U.S.
The Italian government said last week, though, that Jo has not asked for asylum.
Other reports speculate that Jo has either made it to the U.S. or the UK already... or that he's been caught by North Korea and taken back to Pyeongyang.
North Korea's former acting ambassador to Rome, Jo Song-gil, has been missing since November.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, a CIA spokesperson said the agency will not speak on the matter because it's the State Department that is generally in charge of handling issues related to asylum seekers.
There've been conflicting reports about Jo's whereabouts.
Some reports have claimed that he's under the protection of the Italian government... and wants to seek asylum in the U.S.
The Italian government said last week, though, that Jo has not asked for asylum.
Other reports speculate that Jo has either made it to the U.S. or the UK already... or that he's been caught by North Korea and taken back to Pyeongyang.