Defector Issues
Information related to North Korean defector issues
North Korean hackers poison Chinese games in apparent bid to spy on refugees
The espionage-focused group ScarCruft modified Android and Windows games to deploy signature data-stealing malware
May 6, 2026
Fear from a vibrating cellphone: A North Korean defector’s tale of grief
Because of my mother’s earlier defection, my social status in North Korea was forever tainted
Jacco Zwetsloot: A look back and a new chapter for the NK News Podcast
Longtime host discusses memorable episodes, dream guests and how he is not leaving the podcast entirely
May 5, 2026
Former DPRK diplomat peels back curtain on Pyongyang’s foreign policy apparatus
New memoir provides a revealing, if partial, account of North Korea’s diplomacy and the officials competing to guide it
May 1, 2026
Eunhee Park: Surviving North Korea and reclaiming identity in the South
Defector-author shares her story, as NK News’ Anton Sokolin talks OPCON transfer and Russia-DPRK cooperation
April 29, 2026
North Korea sees sharp rise in death sentences in recent years: NGO
Around 153 citizens were estimated to have been sentenced to death or executed between 2020 to 2024
April 28, 2026
Russia blocks release of North Korean defector movie starring Kim Min-ha
The movie tracks the life of a defector who navigates the emotional and cultural challenges in South Korea
April 24, 2026
Ask a North Korean: What do North Koreans do on the weekend?
A defector writes about spending Saturdays at self-criticism sessions and the boredom of rest days
South Korean sentenced to prison for fraudulent North Korea defection scheme
Defendant claimed he needed $7,660 to help the victim’s family escape to the South, despite lacking ability to do so
April 16, 2026
Human rights commission says Seoul should protect North Korean POWs in Ukraine
State-funded watchdog calls for South Korea to support the prisoners’ entry and prevent their forced repatriation
April 14, 2026
