South Korea’s unification ministry is reviewing whether to abandon the use of the term “defectors” to refer to North Koreans who have fled the country and resettled in the South, in an effort to reduce the negative connotations and promote social integration. 

During a speech on Monday, unification minister Chung Dong-young revealed that Seoul is researching alternatives to “defector” (talkbukmin, 탈북민) in both legal terminology and everyday usage.

“North Korean escapees often dislike the character ‘tal’ (탈 meaning ‘escape’ or ‘defection’),” he said. “Even the word ‘defection’ carries a negative tone.”

According to to Chung, “bukhyangmin” (북향민), meaning those whose