The income gap between North Korean defectors in South Korea and others in the country continues to shrink, new research shows, but structural discrimination still presents significant challenges for the community.

North Korean defectors in the South earned around $1,902 (2.28 million won) per month on average in 2021, according to a survey from Korea Hana Foundation published on Tuesday. This is about $100 more per month compared to 2020.

While still less than the average salary of native South Koreans, the foundation, which operates under the unification ministry, said the income gap between native South Koreans and those who