How does South Korea treat North Korean defectors?

How does South Korea treat North Korean defectors?

I would never want my daughter to live this life. North Korean defectors are treated like cigarette ashes thrown away on the streets. The fate of North Koreans in the South has echoes of the experience of people from the former East Germany, where they faced discrimination and often poverty after reunification.

Does South Korea accept defectors from North Korea?

Since 1998, more than 33,000 people have defected from North Korea to South Korea, according to South Korea’s Unification Ministry. However, numbers have dwindled in recent years after Kim imposed even tougher border controls to prevent Covid inflows.

Do North Korean defectors get kidnapped?

North Korean abductions have not been limited to northeast Asia and many documented abductees have been kidnapped while abroad, making the issue of serious concern to the international community.

What happens to North Korean defectors if caught?

If the defectors are caught in China, they are repatriated back to North Korea, where rights groups say they often face harsh interrogations and years of punishment, or even death, in political prison camps (such as the Pukch’ang camp), or in reeducation camps (such as the Chungsan camp or Chongori camp).

Does South Korea protect defectors?

In 1962, the South Korean Government introduced the “Special law on the protection of defectors from the North” which, after revision in 1978, remained effective until 1993. According to the law, every defector was eligible for an aid package. After their arrival in the South, defectors would receive an allowance.

What countries accept North Korean defectors?

According to South Korea’s Ministry of Unification, over 33,000 North Korean refugees have resettled in South Korea as of December 2020. South Korea remains the most popular destination for North Korean refugees to settle in.

How many North Korean defectors Does South Korea have?

According to the Ministry of Unification, over 33,000 North Korean refugees have resettled in South Korea in the year 2019.

Which countries help North Korean defectors?

The defectors usually flee to a third country due to China being a relatively close ally of North Korea. China, being the most influential of the few economic partners of North Korea while the country has been under U.N. sanctions for decades, is also the largest, and has been a continuous aid source of the country.

Do North Korean defectors regret?

Survey results showed that 18.5% of North Korean defectors expressed that they “regret” moving to South Korea. Those who regret settling in the South reported experiencing difficulties due to cultural differences, psychological isolation, and economic issues.

Can North Koreans go on the Internet?

Internet access is not generally available in North Korea. Only some high-level officials are allowed to access the global internet. In most universities, a small number of strictly monitored computers are provided. Other citizens may get access only to the country’s national intranet, called Kwangmyong.

How many North Korean defectors live in South Korea?

Why do defectors return to North Korea?

Some North Koreans return after sustained emotional blackmail from left-behind relatives, under pressure from North Korea’s secret police. “In some cases, it is simply because they miss their families back in North Korea so much,” Joo says.

Can North Koreans travel to South Korea?

Can you cross the border into North Korea from South Korea? No, unfortunately. The border between South Korea and North Korea is closed to civilians. South Korea and North Korea are divided by the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a buffer zone cutting across the peninsula which is 4km in width (2km in each Korea).