In August 2016, a North Korean diplomat defected to South Korea, reportedly out of disgust
for his country’s government and leader Kim Jong-Un.
It is extremely rare for North Korean citizens, much less high ranking officials, to flee
the country, as harsh punishments are imposed on those who are caught trying, as well as
their families back home.
Nevertheless, it does happen.
So how does someone defect from North Korea, and what happens to those who do?
Well, a “defector” is someone who flees to an enemy country, which for North Korea,
is basically anywhere outside its borders.
Although leaving North Korea without permission is illegal and the country maintains rigid
border controls, hundreds of thousands of North Koreans have successfully defected since
the mid 20th century.
Most escape through the country’s shared border with China.
Under Chinese law, North Korean defectors are considered illegal economic migrants,
and must be returned to their home country, regardless of whatever punishments await them.
So, many continue onto a third country, but some stay and hide in China.
An estimated 200,000 North Koreans are believed to be secretly living in China today.
Alternately, many defectors seek asylum in South Korea.
According to government estimates, roughly 29,000 North Koreans have resettled in the
South since the end of the Korean War in 1953.
For decades, South Korea was very accommodating of these asylum-seekers.
In the early 1960’s the country provided an allowance, stable employment and housing
for defectors.
But through a series of reforms in the 1990’s these privileges were curtailed, and in 2004
the South Korean government reduced financial aid for asylum-seekers by nearly two-thirds.
North Korea has accused the South of explicitly encouraging their citizens to defect, however
South Korea has denied such claims.
Perhaps surprisingly, roughly 80 percent of North Korean defectors are women.
A 2013 study found that women tend to suffer the most from poverty and economic hardship,
one of the driving forces of emigration.
Male defectors, on the other hand, cited political or ideological reasons.
Given all the reasons to flee North Korea, and all the risks defectors take to escape,
it may come as a surprise that some end up voluntary moving back.
These “double defectors” are known to return for a range of reasons.
Most commonly, feelings of marginalization and a lack of opportunity in their new country.
North Korea is known to punish any escapee to years of hard labor in prison camps or
execution.
However In 2013, Kim Jong Un announced that defectors would be welcomed back into the
country, and in some cases even offered cash and an opportunity to share their experience
on state-run TV.
Ironically, many defectors in South Korea are already semi-celebrities, as they regularly
appear on talk shows and reality TV.
In the end, a defector’s fate largely depends on their destination.
Countries that are culturally western, like the United States, Canada, and much of Europe,
tend to be more accommodating than others.
But wherever North Korean defectors land, it’s probably better than where they came
from.