Without a trace: Missing North Korean defectors expose gaps in welfare system



Features Without a trace: Missing North Korean defectors expose gaps in welfare system New report reveals 70 defectors’ whereabouts are unknown in South Korea, leading experts to call for increased support Joon Ha Park \| Shreyas Reddy September 20, 2024 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A woman in Sariwon, North Korea in 2008 \| Image: Eric Lafforgue Seventy North Korean defectors’ whereabouts remain unknown as of last year, including 11 who have been missing for over a decade, according to a South Korean unification ministry report. The data report, provided to NK News by South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party (DP) lawmaker Hong Keewon’s office, indicates an increase of eight unaccounted-for defectors compared to 2022. Seventy North Korean defectors’ whereabouts remain unknown as of last year, including 11 who have been missing for over a decade, according to a South Korean unification ministry report. The data report, provided to NK News by South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party (DP) lawmaker Hong Keewon’s office, indicates an increase of eight unaccounted-for defectors compared to 2022. 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

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Without a trace: Missing North Korean defectors expose gaps in welfare system

New report reveals 70 defectors’ whereabouts are unknown in South Korea, leading experts to call for increased support

Joon Ha Park | Shreyas Reddy September 20, 2024

Without a trace: Missing North Korean defectors expose gaps in welfare system

A woman in Sariwon, North Korea in 2008 | Image: Eric Lafforgue

Seventy North Korean defectors’ whereabouts remain unknown as of last year, including 11 who have been missing for over a decade, according to a South Korean unification ministry report.

The data report, provided to NK News by South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party (DP) lawmaker Hong Keewon’s office, indicates an increase of eight unaccounted-for defectors compared to 2022.

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Without a trace: Missing North Korean defectors expose gaps in welfare system

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