September 21, 2023
Features

The revolving door: Why people end up quitting the North Korea field

Frustration at lack of progress among factors driving exodus, which some fear could diminish understanding of DPRK

North Korea has long captured the minds of a worldwide community of experts, activists and journalists, united in trying to better understand, explain or in some way help what is arguably the most idiosyncratic country on Earth.

But there’s an underreported phenomenon unfolding behind the scenes: Every year, a steady stream of people quietly leave the North Korea field.