Ten years have quickly passed since the “march of suffering” began in the 90s. Since then the number of North Korean citizens defecting to China have been continuous.
Through the voices of 4 voluntary NGO workers in China, the DailyNK was able to learn of the current issues faced by defectors living near the border regions of Shenyang, Jilian and Liaoning.
* Interviewees
Lee Min Ki (pseudonym) : age 42, independent worker, 9 years in China
Park Joon Young (pseudonym) : age 40, missionary, 6 years in China,
Choi Young Shik (pseudonym) : age 38, NGO worker of a South Korean organization, 4 years in China,
Kim Young Chul (pseudonym) : age 36, missionary, 5 years in China,
Reporter : Kwon Jeong Hyun (DailyNK correspondent in China)
30,000 defectors estimated in China
Reporter: In 1998-99, the number of defectors in China was estimated to range from 10,000 to 50,000 people. Where do the figures lie today?
Lee: There are no exact statistics to indicate the whole defector population. When I first started voluntary work in 1999, people said that there were about 30,000~50,000 defectors in China, although I feel this figure is a bit of an overstatement. Currently, the total population of Yanji is 30,000, which means that more defectors than this population crossed the border each year. However, based on my life experiences in China, I feel that this number was greatly exaggerated.
When the number of defectors peaked in the late 90s, I think the number of people that defected ranged about 15,000~20,000 a year. Compared to those times, regulations have tightened a lot and so I estimate about 30,000 defectors. Of course, this is not an objective statistic.
Park: I heard that authorities from Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture and the Chinese National Security Agency in Jilian estimated that currently (2006) there was about 6,000~8,000 defectors living in the area. An additional 10,000 people could be added if we took into consideration the floating population. If the numbers range at these figures in this area, there wouldn’t more than 20,000 defectors throughout all of China.
Kim: Even Korean-Chinese churches are seeing a decline in new defector members. 2 years ago there were about 10 new defectors who came looking for a church every month. Nowadays there are only 2~3 people a month. In my opinion, I think there is about a minimum of 25,000 and maximum of 40,000 defectors in China.
Increased control by North Korean authorities and Decreased capacity of Chinese society
Reporter: What do you think is the cause for the decrease in the number of defectors?
Lee: First, North Korea has now escaped the times of starvation and hunger. Even until the late 90’s, the majority of defectors were in desperate need of food and medical supplies. Back then, it was common to come across a defector who had come to China in search for food. Often they hadn’t eaten for over 1 week, 10 days or even a fortnight.
Then as we reached 2000 and in particular 2003 it became difficult to meet people in need of food and medicine. The numbers had begun to decline. From my experiences, from 2003, rather than new defectors, there was a sudden rise in defectors that had returned to China having already had some experiences about life in China. Last year, I don’t think there were more than 10% of defectors that were new to the country.
Park: Overall, I am certain that the most of North Korean people have made dramatic improvements to their daily lives after their exposure to starvation.
According to defectors, 10~15% of North Korea’s poor still live each day worrying about their daily meals. Nonetheless, it seems that more than of North Koreans are now living off rice mixed with grains or corn. Furthermore, people have outgrown their dependence on the distribution system for food and more and more people are producing their own crops and conducting trade. Hence, as the population develops new ways of living, the need to defect for food and medicine has dropped.
Choi: Not only has there been an improvement to the food issue and living standards compared to the past, North Korean authorities have increased border blockages and punishment, so overall, it has greatly impacted the motive to defect.
According to testimonies by defectors, 3 major changes have occurred on the North Korea-China border. In 1996~2000, there was an explosion of defectors to the point North Korea border guards could not control. Then in 2000~2006, North Korean authorities responded to this by enforcing hard-line policies. Since 2000, stories about defectors and inside North Korea began to leak out and the world leaned more of this. Consequently, North Korean authorities acted by increasing punishment and at times even finalized matters to please the international community. In 2003, Kim Jong Il even made a special order where defectors who voluntarily returned to North Korea would undergo only basic interrogations and even be exempt from punishment.
However, since 2005, North Korean authorities have once again increased border control. Nowadays, if a defector is caught crossing the borders or is forcefully repatriated back to North Korea from China, the minimum sentence is 3 years at Kyohwaso (the long-term prison labor camps).
Kim: The motive for defectors to defect to China has also dried up. Simply put, Korean-Chinese people no longer help defectors who cross the border. The mindset of Korean-Chinese people against defectors has made a complete turnaround. The response is that, “We have done as much as we can!” and “If you help them once, they return continuously asking for help.”
Another major cause is the significant decrease in interest and help for defectors by the international community as more and more focus was placed on the hot issue of North Korea’s nukes. More and more Korean-Chinese churches are saying, “We can no longer help defectors.” Even up to 2~3 years ago, there were many international NGOs or South Korean churches who supported defectors through the Korean-Chinese churches.
Today, circumstances do not allow this. Korean-Chinese churches no longer have a choice but to refuse help to defectors as Chinese authorities continue to enforce greater control, as well as insufficient funds and systematic support not helping the situation. NGOs and the international society need to reflect upon the fact that more and more defectors feel there is lesser benefit in seeking China. (continued)
