A South Korean military officer who was held as a prisoner of war in North Korea recently escaped the Stalinist state and is currently staying in China.

A defense ministry official says the 78-year-old "Jang" was a first lieutenant when captured by the communist Chinese army and taken to the North during the 1950-53 Korean War. He reportedly fled North Korea on June 14th and is currently in Shenyang, China, awaiting safe passage to Seoul.

Following his capture in a battle in Cheolwon, Gangwon Province in July, 1953, Jang was sent to labor in mines in North Hamgyeong Province. He attempted an escape earlier in 2003 but failed to make it to the South.

The last time a South Korean officer-level POW escaped from the North was in 1994.