The former North Korean Deputy Ambassador to London Thae Yong-ho says there are more North Korean diplomats who have defected to South Korea than what is reported by the media.

Speaking at a meeting with lawmakers of the Bareun or Righteous Party on Tuesday, the defector emphasized that all North Korean diplomats are aware of the substantial number of recent defections of their kind to the South.

He added that there are also more in European countries and elsewhere waiting to come to South Korea. 

While blaming the North Korean regime for establishing a slavery system to facilitate the generational power succession of the Kim family, Thae called for injecting outside information to North Korea for a popular uprising. 

He also argued that Seoul must stay on its pressure track against Pyongyang, saying over 80 percent of any food aid to North Korea is diverted to solidifying the regime.