Despite an encouraging jump in the second quarter, the number of North Korean escapees arriving in South Korea remains minuscule compared to before the pandemic. The DPRK’s strict lockdown measures — including orders to open fire at anyone approaching the borders — means that it is still incredibly difficult to escape.

But many North Koreans remain stranded outside the country, including high-level personnel like diplomats and businesspeople, and available evidence suggests that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration is ramping up efforts to convince these elites to jump ship.

Seoul’s strategy appears centered on providing government jobs to elite defectors and