March 23, 2023
Ask A North Korean

Settling in Seoul: How was the education center for new North Korean defectors?

The Hanawon resettlement facility helps new arrivals adjust to South Korean life, but not all defectors like going there

“Settling in Seoul” is a new NK News series in which North Korean defectors share their experiences adapting to life in South Korea.

In this week’s column, Sersong Han — who lived in North Korea until he defected in 2014 — writes about his time at the Settlement Support Center for North Korean Refugees, better known as Hanawon.