In the United States, the CIA has declined to comment on the disappearance of a North Korean diplomat in Italy... who many believe is trying to defect.<br />North Korea's former acting ambassador to Rome, Jo Song-gil, has been missing since November.<br /> Speaking to reporters on Saturday, a CIA spokesperson said the agency will not speak on the matter because it's the State Department that is generally in charge of handling issues related to asylum seekers.<br />There've been conflicting reports about Jo's whereabouts.<br />Some reports have claimed that he's under the protection of the Italian government... and wants to seek asylum in the U.S.<br />The Italian government said last week, though, that Jo has not asked for asylum.<br />Other reports speculate that Jo has either made it to the U.S. or the UK already... or that he's been caught by North Korea and taken back to Pyeongyang. <br />
