The number of defectors coming to South Korea in the first half of the year increased by 14% over the same period last year to 1,428, according to statistics released by Hanawon today.
Hanawon, the resettlement and education center for defectors south of Seoul, also included extra details revealing a number of interesting trends; a 15% increase in the number of defectors entering South Korea within one year of leaving the North (they ordinarily spend a number of years in China for various reasons); an 11% increase in the number of people coming to South Korea to join with family and relatives already here; and a 10% increase in the number of family units defecting.
Releasing the data this morning, a representative for Hanawon told reporters, “It is somewhat paradoxical, but the strengthening of a Chinese crackdown on defectors is leading to more arriving in South Korea. The crackdown in China is growing more serious, so most of them are looking to escape to South Korea through a third country as quickly as they can.”
He added, “The intensified Chinese crackdown is increasing the concerns of those who fear arrest and repatriation back to North Korea, so there are many cases now where people are looking to get to a third country and then to South Korea as soon as they defect.”
The spokesperson went on, “There are more cases of whole families defecting, and through them escape routes are being shared, which is leading to a higher number of defectors arriving in South Korea overall.”
According to Hanawon, at the time of their defection, 75% of recent defectors were in the 20-49 age bracket that is best equipped to handle escaping from North Korea and subsequent lifestyle adjustments, while 15% were children or teenagers, 5% were in their fifties and another 5% were 60 or more.
As ever, women made up the bulk of defectors at 72%, although that represents a 4% decrease on 2009-2010.
The overwhelming majority worked in North Korea before their defection as laborers, farmers, housewives or were unemployed, around 90% of the total, while 6% worked in technical or administrative positions, 3.3% in trade, and just 1.3% were in the military or doing something else. 80% were only educated to high school level or less, 17% had been through a college or university, but 3% had never attended school.
The recent increase in defectors brings the total number to 21,788 as of June 30th. Looking to the future, the Hanawon spokesperson predicted, “It looks like a little over 3,000 people will arrive in South Korea this year if trends stay as they are, making it similar to 2009.”
