On November 13, a North Korean soldier defected through the demilitarized zone, eventually being shot 5 times by fellow North Korean soldiers before lying about 55 yards over the border, where he was dragged to safety by South Korean sergeants 40 minutes later. This video from the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission shows the harrowing escape from start to rescue.

Warning: this video contains graphic footage.

The solider, identified solely by his surname, Oh, made the defection by driving a military jeep toward the demilitarized zone before running across the border on foot after the vehicle became stuck off the road. North Korean soldiers chased after him, firing over 40 shots, 5 of which hit Oh. He was eventually dragged to safety by South Korean personnel, after which he was flown to Anjou Hospital, where he was successfully operated on, with doctors noting he was suffering from numerous ailments that indicated horrible conditions in North Korea.

If it’s a little hard to keep track of what’s going on with all the different cameras, this video will help to clarify the events: 

The Washington Post has reported that the actions of the North Korean soldiers violated the armistice agreement, both by firing at the defector and chasing him across the border. The agreement has been in place since the end of the Korean War in 1953. 

[via Jalopnik]