Defector Issues
Information related to North Korean defector issues
ROK police refer activist to prosecutors for launching balloons into North Korea
Local authorities allege Park Sang-hak violated aviation safety law by releasing balloons carrying anti-regime leaflets
North Korea in October 2024: A month in review and what’s ahead
An analytical look at the main developments from October 1 to October 31, 2024
Kim Jong Un sensitive to criticism of regime’s human rights abuses: Ex-diplomats
Former North Korean envoys say leader ordered measures to deflect attention from abuses and even pushed limited reforms
76 North Korean escapees arrive in South Korea in third quarter
Numbers remain far below pre-COVID levels but include rare direct defections over inter-Korean border
South Korea halts investigations into defectors’ money transfers to North Korea
But NK News confirms that several escapees are still facing prosecution for practice that was previously long accepted
North Korean defected to South by sea last month, Seoul belatedly reveals
Individual reportedly escaped in a small boat near ROK’s westernmost island, the latest in series of maritime defections
New report documents huge surge in North Korean crackdowns on outside info
DPRK restrictions on info access have led to over 40-fold rise in related human rights violations, Seoul nonprofit finds
Jihyun Park: A woman’s journey from North Korea to British politics
The defector-activist discusses her two escapes from the DPRK and her fight for global recognition of North Korea issues
Seoul’s ‘monster missile’ and a defector’s attempt to return to North Korea
NK News’ Joon Ha Park discusses South Korea’s Armed Forces Day and a man’s detainment after stealing a bus to cross DMZ
North Korean elites are unhappy. But don’t expect a mass exodus.
High-level defections highlight a loss of hope among DPRK officials, a growing cause of concern for Kim Jong Un’s rule