April 20, 2024
Evergreen

What do the two Koreas mean to third-country born children?

More than 50% of defector schoolchildren are now of third-country origin

When South Koreans hear "defectors," they usually think of Koreans that speak the same language, albeit with the distinctive North Korean dialect. So when you visit a school for defector children in the South, you might wonder why more than half now speak in Chinese.

"My name is Chun-mi, and in Chinese pronunciation, it's Chun Mei (春美)," says one student at the Durihana International School, an alternative school for defector children in Seoul.

Become a member for less than $4 per week.

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
  • Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
  • Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.