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The North Korean ambassador to Italy has gone into hiding with his wife, according to the South Korean spy agency.

Jo Song Gil has not been seen since the couple left their official residence in Rome in early November, just weeks before his term was due to end.

Their whereabouts remain a mystery, but the South Korean National Intelligence Service has now told MPs that the pair are in hiding.

MP Kim Min-ki revealed that an official from the agency had shared the information during a closed-door briefing, but did not confirm whether they had any details about their location.

It is also unknown whether the missing ambassador plans to defect to South Korea, which would prove to be a major setback for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he seeks further co-operation with his neighbours in 2019.

The agency has said it cannot confirm reports in the South Korean media that Mr Jo is being protected by the Italian government as he seeks asylum in a western nation, having served his post since September 2017.

An official with the Italian foreign ministry said Mr Jo had not requested asylum from Italy.

He had filled the role since his predecessor Mun Jong Nam was expelled in protest over a North Korean nuclear test and would likely have been involved in any plans for Pope Francis to meet Mr Kim.

North Korea has not yet commented on the status of their missing official, but takes a dim view of those who defect from the secretive regime.

The last senior diplomat known to have defected was described as "human scum" by Pyongyang.

It was claimed that Thae Yong Ho was trying to escape punishment for serious crimes when he left in 2016.

The North is extremely sensitive about defections and has previously said any betrayals were the result of plots by Seoul and Washington to undermine its government.

Government figures from Seoul suggest about 30,000 North Koreans have defected to the South since the Korean War ended in 1953, with most keen to leave its harsh political system and poverty.