This was in the JSA (Joint Security Area) It is the only place where North and South Korean troops stand face to face. Basically all NK troops posted there have a standing order to shoot anyone who tries to defect. Only the most loyal of all troops are allowed to be posted in the JSA, which makes this all the more rare.
Well after this ....now if the N.Koreans shoot at the defector they’ll get shot by our side. Change in rules of engagement!
The ones running after the defector should have just kept running with him!