The Joint Chiefs of Staff say a low-ranking soldier from North Korea defected by crossing the military border in Gangwon Province at around 8:04 a.m. on Thursday. 

Related agencies will investigate the cause and circumstances of the soldier's escape. 

A JCS official said there have been no unusual movements in the North's forward area following the incident. 

The arrival comes 38 days after a dramatic defection by a North Korean soldier who sustained multiple gunshot wounds when he crossed the Joint Security Area. 

Four North Korean soldiers have defected to the South this year.