South Korea

Seoul: North Korean Defectors to South Tripled in 2023

JAN 19 2024·Updated JAN 20 2024

Story

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The Facts

The Ministry of Unification in Seoul has revealed that at least 196 North Koreans defected to South Korea in 2023, nearly three times the previous year.
guardian
The sharp uptick from just 67 defectors in 2022 is partly attributed to the loosening of COVID border restrictions in North Korea and transit countries, such as China.
NHK
According to the government data released on Thursday, more than half of those who left were in their 20s and 30s, while about 12.5% were women or girls.
koreaherald
Furthermore, the defectors reportedly included approximately 10 "elite" individuals, like diplomats and international students — the most since 2017.
CNN
In addition to the lifting of COVID restrictions, the ministry attributed the record number of defections in 2023 to growing dissent and a scarcity of food.
guardian
More than 30K North Koreans have reportedly left for South Korea since the 1950s, with over 60% holding jobs and earning an average of $1,830 per month.
Dw.Com

Sources Split

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The Spin

Anti-North Korea narrative

As the economic situation worsens and internal controls strengthen in Kim Jong Un's regime, younger North Koreans are left with no choice but to take a perilous journey to the liberal democratic South to escape their repressive homeland's dire human rights and impoverished conditions.

The Associated Press

Pro-North Korea narrative

Just like the US, North Korea has the right to live without external limitations or interventions. However, due to the prevalence of disinformation about Kim's regime, misconceptions about North Korea are perpetuated in the public consciousness to further Western interests. People defecting to South Korea are economic migrants, nothing more.

KCNA Watch