North Korean defector children are 1.3 times more likely to develop psychiatric disorders than their South Korean peers, a new study shows, finding that their experience growing up in a different social and political environment may be increasing their risk of mental health issues.

A research team led by Professor Hong Min-ha from Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong analyzed National Health Insurance Service claims data from 2005 to 2021 for North Korean defector children and adolescents and their South Korean peers.

The study found that defector youths were 1.3 times more likely to develop major psychiatric disorders such as