Defector Issues
Information related to North Korean defector issues
The real reason North Korea refugees – not defectors – struggle
Those who escape the North are from the less educated, less skilled, less politically engaged class
The roles of women in North Korea
Women bear the brunt of domestic violence, discrimination and increased workloads in changing society
Studying a foreign language you may never use
All North Korean students have to learn a second language, only the privileged classes may put them to use
After the Shin Dong-hyuk affair: Separating fact, fiction
Human rights activists must encourage accurate, honest stories from escapees, not harmful exaggerations
Report seeks celebrity support for N. Korean human rights
Author of rights paper says human rights, weapons programs intricately linked
How do North Koreans spend days off?
In this week's Ask a North Korean, we learn that workers get days off like anywhere else - just don't get caught listening to K-pop
Defection and the trouble with freedom
This week's Ask a North Korean describes the hardships of adapting to a competitive society where one's life isn't planned for them
Farewell from a former North Korean resident
Monique Macias says heart will always be with Korea despite eye-opening times abroad
Defectors value their freedom but miss their homes
Saddened by discrimination, defectors see limited options for changing the North substantially