For more than 240 days now, North Korea has kept its borders closed in a COVID-19-related lockdown. That has seriously driven down the number of new defectors entering the South.
But now, government data from Seoul shows a sudden surge in new defectors: After a stretch of record-low numbers totaling less than 10 people per month, 39 North Koreans abruptly arrived in South Korea in Aug. 2020, ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Hae-cheol’s office confirmed to NK News on Monday.
For more than 240 days now, North Korea has kept its borders closed in a COVID-19-related lockdown. That has seriously driven down the number of new defectors entering the South.
But now, government data from Seoul shows a sudden surge in new defectors: After a stretch of record-low numbers totaling less than 10 people per month, 39 North Koreans abruptly arrived in South Korea in Aug. 2020, ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Hae-cheol’s office confirmed to NK News on Monday.
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
