Top N.Korean defector dies from heart attack: report

The highest-ranking North Korean official who had defected to South Korea was found dead Sunday morning, a local report said.

YTN TV reportedly cited an unnamed government official as saying that Hwang Jang-yop, 87, a former Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) secretary, appeared to have died of a heart attack at his home in South Korea.

Police said there was no reason to suspect foul play in the death of Hwang, who had lived under police guard at a secret address.

In April, Pyongyang, through its official Uriminzokkiri website, threatened Hwang with death for his criticism of the WPK during trips to the US and Japan.

In July, a South Korean court gave 10-year prison sentences to two North Korean agents who posed as fugitives in a bid to assassinate Hwang.

However, Pyongyang denied any assassination bid, accusing Seoul of inventing the story to fuel tensions between the neighbors.

Agencies