INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The North Korean ambassador to Italy has gone into hiding with his wife, according to South Korean spy agency.Jo Song Gil has not been seen
since couple left their official residence in Rome in early November, just weeks before his term was due to end.Their whereabouts remain a
mystery, but South Korean National Intelligence Service has now told MPs that pair are in hiding.Image:Jo Song Gil left North Korean embassy
in Rome in November and has not been seen sinceMP Kim Min-ki revealed that an official from agency had shared information during a
closed-door briefing, but did not confirm whether they had any details about their location.It is also unknown whether missing ambassador
plans to defect to South Korea, which would prove to be a major setback for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he seeks further co-operation
with his neighbours in 2019.Image:Mr Jo held his post at embassy for just over a yearThe agency has said it cannot confirm reports in South
Korean media that Mr Jo is being protected by Italian government as he seeks asylum in a western nation, having served his post since
September 2017.An official with Italian foreign ministry said Mr Jo had not requested asylum from Italy.He had filled role since his
predecessor Mun Jong Nam was expelled in protest over a North Korean nuclear test and would likely have been involved in any plans for Pope
Francis to meet Mr Kim.North Korea has not yet commented on status of their missing official, but takes a dim view of those who defect from
secretive regime.The last senior diplomat known to have defected was described as "human scum" by Pyongyang.It was claimed that Thae Yong Ho
was trying to escape punishment for serious crimes when he left in 2016.The North is extremely sensitive about defections and has previously
said any betrayals were result of plots by Seoul and Washington to undermine its government.Government figures from Seoul suggest about
30,000 North Koreans have defected to South since Korean War ended in 1953, with most keen to leave its harsh political system and poverty.
