38 North Korean refugees enter South in first quarter, most of them young adults



News 38 North Korean refugees enter South in first quarter, most of them young adults Seoul says new arrivals largely left DPRK before pandemic, as North’s border controls continue to limit defections Jooheon Kim April 17, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON North Korean residents in Pyongyang \| Image: NK News (2015) A total of 38 North Korean refugees arrived in South Korea in the first quarter of 2025, according to government figures released Thursday, with more than half of the new arrivals in their 20s and 30s. Seoul’s unification ministry said the defectors who arrived between January and March included 37 women and one man, bringing the cumulative number of defectors in South Korea to 34,352. A total of 38 North Korean refugees arrived in South Korea in the first quarter of 2025, according to government figures released Thursday, with more than half of the new arrivals in their 20s and 30s. Seoul’s unification ministry said the defectors who arrived between January and March included 37 women and one man, bringing the cumulative number of defectors in South Korea to 34,352. 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. © 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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38 North Korean refugees enter South in first quarter, most of them young adults

Seoul says new arrivals largely left DPRK before pandemic, as North’s border controls continue to limit defections

Jooheon Kim April 17, 2025

38 North Korean refugees enter South in first quarter, most of them young adults

North Korean residents in Pyongyang | Image: NK News (2015)

A total of 38 North Korean refugees arrived in South Korea in the first quarter of 2025, according to government figures released Thursday, with more than half of the new arrivals in their 20s and 30s.

Seoul’s unification ministry said the defectors who arrived between January and March included 37 women and one man, bringing the cumulative number of defectors in South Korea to 34,352.

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38 North Korean refugees enter South in first quarter, most of them young adults

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