In the wake of the reported murder of Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the South Korean Police said they will strengthen measures to protect high-profile North Korean defectors residing in the South.

An official of the Korean National Police Agency said the police have already heightened security alerts regarding major North Korean figures in the South since the defection of former deputy ambassador to London Thae Yong-ho last year, but will further enhance the protection measures for them following the reported death of Kim Jong-nam.

It is known that dozens of North Korean defectors are being protected in the South under high-level police protection measures, with security guards staying with them around-the-clock.

The police plan to increase the number of security guards escorting North Korean defectors that may be targeted by North Korean operatives or move their places of residence for their safety.