Rising Number of North Korean Defectors Entering South Korea

The Surge in Defections

The number of North Korean defectors entering South Korea nearly tripled in 2023 compared to the previous two years, authorities said Thursday. The South Korea’s Unification Ministry recorded 196 defectors entering the country last year, with more than half being in their 20s and 30s, and about 84% were women or girls, according to government data. This surge in defections marks a significant rise after a steep decline during the Covid-19 pandemic. North Korea's tight borders shut in 2020, isolating the hermit nation further. Only 63 defectors entered South Korea in 2021, and 67 in 2022, according to government data.

The country began reopening somewhat in 2023, allowing citizens living abroad to return and resuming international flights to certain countries, including China and Russia. Some North Koreans living overseas chose not to return and instead fled to the South. About 10 elite North Koreans were among those who defected last year, the highest number of this group since 2017. The most cited reason for defection in 2023 was dissent towards the ruling Kim regime, followed by lack of food and hunger in North Korea, which had previously been the most cited reason in recent years. This surge in defections sheds light on the complex and challenging situation within North Korea and the risks faced by defectors.

Challenges Faced by Defectors

While millions of North Koreans live in impoverished conditions under the dynastic dictatorship of leader Kim Jong Un, the country’s wealthy elite reportedly have access to luxuries such as air conditioning, coffee, and even smartphones – though the phones can only access heavily censored government-run intranet. A majority of those who entered South Korea last year had left North Korea years ago, staying in third countries for a long time before making the journey to Seoul. Many defectors leave through North Korea’s border into China, crossing the Yalu river that separates the two countries. After entering China, many cross the border illegally into Laos or Myanmar and head for the South Korean embassy in those countries or continue through to Thailand.

China, a close ally of Pyongyang, doesn’t consider North Korean defectors to be refugees, instead seeing them as illegal economic migrants. Once back in North Korea, defectors face possible torture, sexual violence, hard labor, imprisonment in political or re-education camps, or even execution by the North Korean state, according to activists. The South Korean government is working to support the settlement of North Korean defectors entering the country, but it is closely watching the possibility that the number of defectors could gradually increase if North Korea opens its border with China.

International Response and Concerns

The rise in North Korean defections has raised international concerns, especially regarding the treatment of defectors by China. China, a close ally of Pyongyang, forcibly deports North Korean defectors under a border agreement with North Korea. Once back in North Korea, defectors face severe consequences, including torture, sexual violence, and even execution. The South Korean government is working to support the settlement of North Korean defectors entering the country, but it is closely watching the possibility that the number of defectors could gradually increase if North Korea opens its border with China.

The surge in defections sheds light on the difficult situation within North Korea and the risks faced by defectors. It also highlights the need for international support and cooperation to ensure the safety and well-being of North Korean defectors. As the situation continues to evolve, the global community must remain vigilant and work together to address the challenges faced by defectors and advocate for their rights and protection.