Defector Issues
Information related to North Korean defector issues
Ask a North Korean: Do rich and poor North Koreans hate each other?
"Those with money view those without it as non-human ... They work those beneath them like slaves."
‘They saw us as lowlives’: Defectors condemn police for investigation tactics
After leaflets raised ire in Pyongyang, Seoul police are investigating activist groups — but some say it's going too far
Seoul court suspends plan to revoke North Korean human rights group’s permit
The decision is part of a greater, ongoing case between defector-led activist groups and the unification ministry
Human rights groups condemn South Korean government’s border-area press tour
Human rights groups accuse the unification ministry of painting their activism in a negative light to foreign reporters
Ask a North Korean: How popular is soccer in North Korea?
"The World Cup and the Olympics are far beyond the daily concerns of many because they live such harsh lives"
WHO: North Korea tested redefector for COVID-19, but results ‘inconclusive’
WHO also confirms that the city of Kaesong has been under lockdown since July 19, when the "redefector" was found
Timeline: From multiple Kim Jong Un appearances to defector ‘suspected’ of COVID
NK Pro timeline charts the key events from July 1 to July 31
North Korea in July 2020: a month in review and what’s ahead
An analysis of the main developments between July 1 and July 31
South Korean military admits to several failures after high-profile redefection
Clips recorded by surveillance equipment show that a defector named Kim swam towards the North in the dark
Crossing the line: Has North Korea’s biggest foe finally gone too far?
Defector-activist Park Sang-hak has long stirred controversy, but political winds may no longer be blowing in his favor