When South Koreans hear "defectors," they usually think of Koreans that speak the same language, albeit with the distinctive North Korean dialect. So when you visit a school for defector children in the South, you might wonder why more than half now speak in Chinese.
"My name is Chun-mi, and in Chinese pronunciation, it's Chun Mei (春美)," says one student at the Durihana International School, an alternative school for defector children in Seoul.
When South Koreans hear "defectors," they usually think of Koreans that speak the same language, albeit with the distinctive North Korean dialect. So when you visit a school for defector children in the South, you might wonder why more than half now speak in Chinese.
"My name is Chun-mi, and in Chinese pronunciation, it's Chun Mei (春美)," says one student at the Durihana International School, an alternative school for defector children in Seoul.
Try unlimited access
Only $1 for four weeks
-
Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations,
analysis
-
Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period
-
The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in
the loop
-
Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
-
Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting,
investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe
now
All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.
SHARE
COPY LINK
X
MASTODON
