Why North Koreans ‘double defect’ to the DPRK after risking it all to run South



Analysis Why North Koreans ‘double defect’ to the DPRK after risking it all to run South Many defectors believe that they can return to North Korea unnoticed and resume normal lives — and they might be right Andrei Lankov September 23, 2020 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON NK News Today’s South Korea has more than 30,000 North Korean defectors living in it, many of whom fled their hometowns because of hunger and political repression. But a surprising number of defectors have also decided to return to the North — just last weekend, a defector was caught and arrested after attempting to return to the DPRK through the eastern border town of Cheorwon. Today’s South Korea has more than 30,000 North Korean defectors living in it, many of whom fled their hometowns because of hunger and political repression. But a surprising number of defectors have also decided to return to the North — just last weekend, a defector was caught and arrested after attempting to return to the DPRK through the eastern border town of Cheorwon. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis 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. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

Why North Koreans ‘double defect’ to the DPRK after risking it all to run South

Many defectors believe that they can return to North Korea unnoticed and resume normal lives — and they might be right

Andrei Lankov September 23, 2020

Why North Koreans ‘double defect’ to the DPRK after risking it all to run South

NK News

Today’s South Korea has more than 30,000 North Korean defectors living in it, many of whom fled their hometowns because of hunger and political repression.

But a surprising number of defectors have also decided to return to the North — just last weekend, a defector was caught and arrested after attempting to return to the DPRK through the eastern border town of Cheorwon.

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Andrei Lankov

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