SEOUL, South Korea — A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea early on Tuesday by crossing the militarized border in the eastern part of the Korean Peninsula, South Korean media reported, citing the South’s military.

The soldier crossed into Goseong county on the east coast, which borders North Korea, and was taken into custody by South Korean guards who had been monitoring his movements, the Yonhap news agency said.

A South Korean defense ministry official said the military took…