Defector Issues
Information related to North Korean defector issues
Seoul ministry prematurely renamed ‘defectors’ as migrants: human rights group
The Unification Ministry began using ‘North Korean-born citizens’ in official documents to refer to defectors
July 2, 2026
Seoul, Kyiv move closer to transferring North Korean POWs to South Korea
Top diplomats say fate of DPRK soldiers captured fighting for Russia should follow international law and their wishes
July 1, 2026
Ask a North Korean: What is nursing school like in North Korea?
A defector recalls why she trained as a nurse, what students studied and the classroom order that stayed with her
US lawmakers aim to renew bill supporting defectors, aid to North Korea
The Senate bill would require sanctions against Chinese officials involved in repatriating North Korean defectors
June 26, 2026
Ask a North Korean: What does a ‘hometown’ mean to a defector?
An escapee recalls the taxi ride, train station goodbye and family trauma that turned departure into permanent loss
South Korean court denies jury trial for Pyongyang-born woman seeking return
Kim Ryon-hui says her case is about family separation, but remains barred from leaving South Korea amid trial
June 24, 2026
North Korean soldier taken into custody from inter-Korean border
The lone soldier reportedly expressed an intent to defect to South Korea, according to local media
June 24, 2026
Ambassador recall, remote work scams and the lives of North Korea’s elites
Shreyas Reddy talks tensions with UK, while author Jieun Baek explains why DPRK elites can be privileged but powerless
June 23, 2026
Ask a North Korean: How does DPRK society view people with disabilities?
A defector writes about prejudice toward wounded veterans, and the desperate choices that parents face
Brian Davis on how the US military collects intel: North Korea Unpacked
Retired US Army colonel joins Jacco Zwetsloot to discuss his decades ‘on pen,’ fixing a DPRK fax machine and more
June 18, 2026
