South Korean soldiers hear gunfire before the defector crosses . Hide Caption Defections over land via the heavily armed DMZ are rare . The number of refugees fleeing per year has climbed dramatically over the years .
South Korean soldiers hear gunfire before the defector crosses . The North Korean says he killed his platoon and squad leaders . Defections over land via the heavily armed DMZ are rare . The number of refugees fleeing per year has climbed dramatically over the years .