Defector Issues
Information related to North Korean defector issues
Joh Kyeongil: What it means to be a progressive North Korean defector
Activist shares how he fled the DPRK three times and what he thinks needs to be done to advance inter-Korean peace
North Korean POW in Ukraine tells South Korean lawmaker that he wants to defect
Yu Yong-weon of ruling party calls for Seoul to use ‘all resources’ to prevent soldier’s repatriation after meeting him
A North Korean POW wants to resettle in the South. The law may stand in the way.
Legal and political hurdles have clouded fate of DPRK soldiers captured by Ukraine, complicating any transfer to ROK
North Korea in February 2025: A month in review and what’s ahead
An analytical look at the main developments from February 1 to February 28, 2025
South Korea willing to accept North Korean prisoners of war from Ukraine
Foreign ministry stated ROK is willing to provide protection and support after DPRK soldier expressed hope to defect
South Korean officials avoid jail for forced repatriation of DPRK fishermen
Prosecutors had sought 3-5 years prison time for four Moon administration officials’ involvement in 2019 repatriation
Cyberattack surge on unification ministry raises fears over DPRK-related data
However, despite threefold increase of attempted cyberattacks in 2024, South Korean ministry says no damage reported
South Korea revises support program for North Korean defectors to expand aid
Revisions remove age limit for higher education subsidies and residency limit for defectors to join savings program
Ask A North Korean: How do North Koreans manage their time?
Rose writes about how ‘unimportant’ the concept of time is to citizens and why punctuality is not a thing in North Korea
UN office urges NGOs to improve North Korean human rights record keeping
OHCHR report criticizes separate databases but civic groups raise issue of victims’ consent and confidentiality
