Defector Issues
Information related to North Korean defector issues
‘Hana Korea,’ film about life after escaping North Korea, lends fact to fiction
The film largely captures the ups and downs of escapees’ new lives after fleeing to South Korea, defectors say
63 North Korean defectors enter South in first half of 2026: Seoul
All arrived through third countries, while DPRK soldier who crossed border in June was excluded from tally
Ask a North Korean: Why was stealing so prolific in North Korea?
A North Korean defector recalls being a victim of theft on the train and at home, where her family's cauldron was stolen
North Korean defectors near nuclear test site show chromosome abnormalities
South Korean researchers note that other factors, like medical imaging and smoking, could explain the study results
North Korea in July 2026: A month in review and what’s ahead
An analytical look at the main developments from July 1 to July 31, 2026
Radio broadcasts to North Korea important for would-be defectors: US official
'These defectors risked torture and risked death, fleeing toward a freedom they only heard existed here,' she said
North Korean defector aid group hit by slew of cyberattacks, lawmaker says
Web hacking attempts were the most common type of cyberattack against the Hana Foundation
Settling in Seoul: How a South Korean alternative school helped find my dream
An escapee reflects on adapting to South Korea, preparing for university and discovering her ambitions
School for North Korean defectors gets a new lease on life in Seoul
Founded in 2004, the school was unable to afford a facility and rented out buildings to continue educating defectors
How South Korea’s sole armistice delegate became a hero in North Korea
Praised by Seoul as the ‘Hero of Panmunjom,’ Choe Tok Sin later became one of Pyongyang's most celebrated defectors
