Situation
The plight of North Korean refugees, commonly known as defectors, emerges as a critical global issue, demanding urgent attention. The convergence of political repression and economic hardship has created a humanitarian crisis, prompting a significant number of North Koreans to seek asylum beyond their homeland. As they navigate perilous journeys and face numerous challenges in finding refuge, the international community must recognize and address the pressing need for humanitarian intervention. The predicament of North Korean refugees is not merely a regional concern but a global one, highlighting the importance of concerted efforts to alleviate their suffering and pave the way for a more secure and hopeful future.
Due to economic and political reasons, many North Korean refugees have fled their homeland. Official statistics from the South Korean Ministry of Unification reveal that from the late 1990s through the end of the third quarter of 2023, approximately 34,021 refugees arrived in South Korea. However, the Coronavirus Pandemic significantly affected the number of North Koreans who were able to flee from the North, with the same statistics showing only 67 refugees were resettled in 2022 for the entire year, and before that, 63 in 2021. However, during the first nine months of 2023, there has been a notable increase in the resettlement of North Koreans in South Korea compared to the Pandemic period, with a total of 136 individuals (26 males and 110 females) finding refuge. However, whilst positive, it remains considerably lower than the numbers observed before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background
North Korea stands as one of the most closed and authoritarian regimes globally, led by Kim Jong-un. An Amnesty International report on the current situation in North Korea states ‘The government represses all forms of freedom of expression and opinion; it does not allow any organised political opposition, independent media, free trade unions, civil society organisations, or religious freedom.’ Unsurprisingly, it is the people of North Korea who suffer the most under the regime, by facing dire consequences for expressing dissent or criticism, often leading to imprisonment, torture, or execution. Such an environment fosters a climate of fear and repression, compelling many North Koreans to live in constant surveillance and secrecy.
In addition to political oppression, the population grapples with dire economic conditions, including widespread poverty, food shortages, and limited opportunities for advancement. Widespread poverty is a prominent feature, with the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for North Korea, Tapan Mishra (2019) stating that “Food insecurity and malnutrition remain widespread. Chronic food insecurity and malnutrition are primarily caused by a lack of access to a diversified and balanced diet." This is caused by issues in the he agricultural sector, such as reliance on outdated farming practices and/or natural disasters, which then exacerbates food insecurity, with little aid by the state to mitigate this.
The intersection of political repression and economic struggles creates a harsh reality for North Koreans, pushing them towards a breaking point where the risky pursuit of a better life can easily become a matter of life or death.
Impact
The escape routes also often lead North Korean refugees to China, where they live in hiding due to the risk of deportation back to North Korea. The international community, including various humanitarian organizations, plays a role in assisting these refugees by providing shelter, food, and medical aid. However, challenges persist due to geopolitical complexities and diplomatic sensitivities, as China remains the only geopolitical ally North Korea has due to previous Cold War History, whilst the South and other SEA nations are seen to be within the US’ sphere of influence. In fact, activists report that approximately 600 North Korean defectors, mostly women, are unaccounted for since a recent round of deportations from China in October 2023. This mass repatriation, following the end of North Korea's Covid border lockdown, raises concerns about the detainees' safety, as they could face torture, sexual violence, and execution upon return. A Seoul-based human rights group, unable to establish contact due to communication difficulties in North Korea, expressed worry over the well-being of the deported individuals.
Recently, due to the pandemic and other factors, there seems to be a shift in refugee arrival methods. Reports indicate the discovery of a family of four, including three women and one man, arriving by boat off the northeast coast. This is also worrisome as individuals looking to escape by sea face new challenges, such as potentially being lost or killed whilst traversing the waters surrounding the peninsula as well as being intercepted by the North Korean Navy.
Current Action
South Korea has a history of providing support to North Korean defectors through various measures. Initially, introduced in 1962, the "Special law on the protection of defectors from the North" offered financial aid. However, disturbingly, the amount of aid depended on the refugees political and intelligence value as opposed a purely altruistic, humanitarian act. This was further solidified in 2004, with new regulations aimed to reduce the influx of asylum seekers by tightening screening processes and reducing financial assistance.
Despite this, there still various downfalls to the way South Korea and the rest of the word treat North Korean refugees. For example, an article from NK News, dated March 2017, reports that a government survey in South Korea reveals that nearly half of North Korean defectors face discrimination in the South. The survey highlights challenges and prejudices encountered by defectors as they integrate into South Korean society, shedding light on the difficulties many of them experience despite seeking refuge in the South. Much of this can be attributed to employment and educational disparities between North and South Koreans. Other issues include a huge cultural shock to the much more urban South Korean region as well as well as issues with language. These are often considerations which most outside of Korea may fail to comprehend when assessing integration.
A specific example to highlight this are the experiences of Yeong-nam Eom, a North Korean who escaped to the South in 2010. Eom explained that highlighting that he was a North Korean escapee resulted in various rebuffs from employers, saying "At first, I sent out my resume more than 100 times with all my background," he said, "including my education and work experience in North Korea.""But not one company invited me to an interview," he said. "So then I only put my experiences in South Korea on my resume and I quickly started getting calls from companies."
As well as this, sadly many North Korean refugees experience severe mental health issues, predominantly in the form of PTSD, caused by the traumatic experiences in their own countries as well as those experienced whilst escaping. Unfortunately, very little assistance is provided to address this by the South Korean state. The unique challenges faced by refugees as well as the trauma of living in one of the word’s most regressive societies can be an incredibility difficult roadblock in an individual’s integration into normal society. As put by North Korean escapee Hyeonseo Lee, ‘Leaving North Korea is not like leaving any other country. It is more like leaving another universe. I will never truly be free of its gravity, no matter how far I journey. Even for those who have suffered unimaginably there and have escaped hell, life in the free world can be so challenging that many struggle to come to terms with it and find happiness. A small number of them even give up, and return to live in that dark place, as I was tempted to do, many times.’
Future Action
To counter this, there are various measures that can be taken to support North Korean refugees. Financial contributions to reputable organizations that specialize in refugee assistance, such as Liberty in North Korea or the UNHCR, can help provide essential resources like shelter, food, and medical care, which can be difficult for defectors to acquire due to employment and educational difficulties. Cultural outreaches can also help alleviate any distress caused by language and cultural differences. By addressing both the root causes through diplomacy and providing direct humanitarian aid, the international community can work towards alleviating the plight of North Korean refugees.
By Callum Morgan
Sources:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-67656585
https://www.dw.com/en/north-korean-defectors-struggle-adapting-to-life-in-the-south/a-59548526
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/up-600-north-korean-defectors-deported-by-china-vanish-rights-group-2023-12-07/
https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/12/china-forcibly-returns-more-500-north-korea
https://keia.org/the-peninsula/north-korean-refugees-uptick-in-number-reaching-south-korea-but-china-is-forcibly-returning-refugees/#:~:text=That%20number%20is%20significantly%20higher,successfully%20fled%20from%20North%20Korea.
https://www.nknews.org/2017/03/close-to-half-of-defectors-face-discrimination-in-the-south-says-govt-survey/?c=1500294381473
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5639122/
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/north-korea
The plight of North Korean refugees, commonly known as defectors, emerges as a critical global issue, demanding urgent attention. The convergence of political repression and economic hardship has created a humanitarian crisis, prompting a significant number of North Koreans to seek asylum beyond their homeland. As they navigate perilous journeys and face numerous challenges in finding refuge, the international community must recognize and address the pressing need for humanitarian intervention. The predicament of North Korean refugees is not merely a regional concern but a global one, highlighting the importance of concerted efforts to alleviate their suffering and pave the way for a more secure and hopeful future.
Due to economic and political reasons, many North Korean refugees have fled their homeland. Official statistics from the South Korean Ministry of Unification reveal that from the late 1990s through the end of the third quarter of 2023, approximately 34,021 refugees arrived in South Korea. However, the Coronavirus Pandemic significantly affected the number of North Koreans who were able to flee from the North, with the same statistics showing only 67 refugees were resettled in 2022 for the entire year, and before that, 63 in 2021. However, during the first nine months of 2023, there has been a notable increase in the resettlement of North Koreans in South Korea compared to the Pandemic period, with a total of 136 individuals (26 males and 110 females) finding refuge. However, whilst positive, it remains considerably lower than the numbers observed before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background
North Korea stands as one of the most closed and authoritarian regimes globally, led by Kim Jong-un. An Amnesty International report on the current situation in North Korea states ‘The government represses all forms of freedom of expression and opinion; it does not allow any organised political opposition, independent media, free trade unions, civil society organisations, or religious freedom.’ Unsurprisingly, it is the people of North Korea who suffer the most under the regime, by facing dire consequences for expressing dissent or criticism, often leading to imprisonment, torture, or execution. Such an environment fosters a climate of fear and repression, compelling many North Koreans to live in constant surveillance and secrecy.
In addition to political oppression, the population grapples with dire economic conditions, including widespread poverty, food shortages, and limited opportunities for advancement. Widespread poverty is a prominent feature, with the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for North Korea, Tapan Mishra (2019) stating that “Food insecurity and malnutrition remain widespread. Chronic food insecurity and malnutrition are primarily caused by a lack of access to a diversified and balanced diet." This is caused by issues in the he agricultural sector, such as reliance on outdated farming practices and/or natural disasters, which then exacerbates food insecurity, with little aid by the state to mitigate this.
The intersection of political repression and economic struggles creates a harsh reality for North Koreans, pushing them towards a breaking point where the risky pursuit of a better life can easily become a matter of life or death.
Impact
The escape routes also often lead North Korean refugees to China, where they live in hiding due to the risk of deportation back to North Korea. The international community, including various humanitarian organizations, plays a role in assisting these refugees by providing shelter, food, and medical aid. However, challenges persist due to geopolitical complexities and diplomatic sensitivities, as China remains the only geopolitical ally North Korea has due to previous Cold War History, whilst the South and other SEA nations are seen to be within the US’ sphere of influence. In fact, activists report that approximately 600 North Korean defectors, mostly women, are unaccounted for since a recent round of deportations from China in October 2023. This mass repatriation, following the end of North Korea's Covid border lockdown, raises concerns about the detainees' safety, as they could face torture, sexual violence, and execution upon return. A Seoul-based human rights group, unable to establish contact due to communication difficulties in North Korea, expressed worry over the well-being of the deported individuals.
Recently, due to the pandemic and other factors, there seems to be a shift in refugee arrival methods. Reports indicate the discovery of a family of four, including three women and one man, arriving by boat off the northeast coast. This is also worrisome as individuals looking to escape by sea face new challenges, such as potentially being lost or killed whilst traversing the waters surrounding the peninsula as well as being intercepted by the North Korean Navy.
Current Action
South Korea has a history of providing support to North Korean defectors through various measures. Initially, introduced in 1962, the "Special law on the protection of defectors from the North" offered financial aid. However, disturbingly, the amount of aid depended on the refugees political and intelligence value as opposed a purely altruistic, humanitarian act. This was further solidified in 2004, with new regulations aimed to reduce the influx of asylum seekers by tightening screening processes and reducing financial assistance.
Despite this, there still various downfalls to the way South Korea and the rest of the word treat North Korean refugees. For example, an article from NK News, dated March 2017, reports that a government survey in South Korea reveals that nearly half of North Korean defectors face discrimination in the South. The survey highlights challenges and prejudices encountered by defectors as they integrate into South Korean society, shedding light on the difficulties many of them experience despite seeking refuge in the South. Much of this can be attributed to employment and educational disparities between North and South Koreans. Other issues include a huge cultural shock to the much more urban South Korean region as well as well as issues with language. These are often considerations which most outside of Korea may fail to comprehend when assessing integration.
A specific example to highlight this are the experiences of Yeong-nam Eom, a North Korean who escaped to the South in 2010. Eom explained that highlighting that he was a North Korean escapee resulted in various rebuffs from employers, saying "At first, I sent out my resume more than 100 times with all my background," he said, "including my education and work experience in North Korea.""But not one company invited me to an interview," he said. "So then I only put my experiences in South Korea on my resume and I quickly started getting calls from companies."
As well as this, sadly many North Korean refugees experience severe mental health issues, predominantly in the form of PTSD, caused by the traumatic experiences in their own countries as well as those experienced whilst escaping. Unfortunately, very little assistance is provided to address this by the South Korean state. The unique challenges faced by refugees as well as the trauma of living in one of the word’s most regressive societies can be an incredibility difficult roadblock in an individual’s integration into normal society. As put by North Korean escapee Hyeonseo Lee, ‘Leaving North Korea is not like leaving any other country. It is more like leaving another universe. I will never truly be free of its gravity, no matter how far I journey. Even for those who have suffered unimaginably there and have escaped hell, life in the free world can be so challenging that many struggle to come to terms with it and find happiness. A small number of them even give up, and return to live in that dark place, as I was tempted to do, many times.’
Future Action
To counter this, there are various measures that can be taken to support North Korean refugees. Financial contributions to reputable organizations that specialize in refugee assistance, such as Liberty in North Korea or the UNHCR, can help provide essential resources like shelter, food, and medical care, which can be difficult for defectors to acquire due to employment and educational difficulties. Cultural outreaches can also help alleviate any distress caused by language and cultural differences. By addressing both the root causes through diplomacy and providing direct humanitarian aid, the international community can work towards alleviating the plight of North Korean refugees.
By Callum Morgan
Sources:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-67656585
https://www.dw.com/en/north-korean-defectors-struggle-adapting-to-life-in-the-south/a-59548526
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/up-600-north-korean-defectors-deported-by-china-vanish-rights-group-2023-12-07/
https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/12/china-forcibly-returns-more-500-north-korea
https://keia.org/the-peninsula/north-korean-refugees-uptick-in-number-reaching-south-korea-but-china-is-forcibly-returning-refugees/#:~:text=That%20number%20is%20significantly%20higher,successfully%20fled%20from%20North%20Korea.
https://www.nknews.org/2017/03/close-to-half-of-defectors-face-discrimination-in-the-south-says-govt-survey/?c=1500294381473
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5639122/
https://www.amnesty.org.uk/north-korea