Defector Issues
Information related to North Korean defector issues
Ask a North Korean: What made you want to leave North Korea?
A defector from Hyesan remembers his mother’s escape, a crackdown over South Korean media and the road to freedom
North Korean defector arrivals ticks up but remains historically low
Seoul recorded 43 arrivals from January to March, compared to more than 1,000 annually before the pandemic
July 13, 2026
Lee calls on Mongolia to play greater role in spurring dialogue with North Korea
Mongolia has long maintained ties with both Koreas, offering a neutral venue for DPRK engagement
July 9, 2026
South Korea, Ukraine agree to respect North Korean prisoners’ wishes on release
The pair of North Korean POWs captured in Kursk previously expressed their desire to defect
July 9, 2026
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
