North Korean student, 18, seeks asylum in South Korea's Hong Kong consulate
Security was tightened at the South Korean consulate in Hong Kong on Thursday after media reports that a North Korean student had sought refuge there.
The North Korean is understood to be a member of a delegation that attended an academic competition at a Hong Kong university two weeks ago, the South China Morning Post said, citing government sources in the Chinese-ruled city.
A student who assisted at a maths olympiad held at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) told Reuters the organising committee of the competition asked for help on July 16 to track down an 18-year-old North Korean who had gone missing after the contest.
A security officer blocks the entrance to the South Korean consulate, after media reports that a North Korean student has sought refuge there.
The student declined to be identified due to the sensitive nature of the issue. The organising committee declined comment.
North and South Korea remain technically at war, and the reports of a possible defection are bound to exacerbate tensions.
Uniformed and plainclothes police were patrolling around the office building near the heart of Hong Kong's financial centre where the South Korean consulate is located. Scores of reporters thronged the building.
A member of security stands in the lift lobby at the consulate.A North Korean student is seeking asylum there, who has not been identified.
Hong Kong police say they are 'aware' of the report, but declined to comment further.
Local government and consulate officials declined to comment.
'We are aware of the report,' said a spokeswoman from the Hong Kong police, declining to comment further.
The 57th International Mathematical Olympiad was held at the HKUST on July 11-12. An all-male team of six took part from North Korea, according to the contest website. The team finished in 6th place.
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