North Korean Defectors: Their Life and Well-Being after Defection

The major purpose of this research is to understand the process by which North Korean defectors settle in South Korea, with special attention to the situations they face in Northeast Asian countries, especially in China. To this end, twelve defectors who entered South Korea via China were interviewed. The analysis of the interviews suggests that North Korean defectors suffer from various economic and psychological problems. Most of them tend to start their life as a defector by begging for food and shelter. They may work, but with little respect, usually resulting in exploitation. Women in particular tend to be sold and resold into marriage or prostitution. North Korean defectors live in constant fear of being arrested and deported by the Chinese police and also suffer from prejudice and discrimination by local citizens. Moreover, defectors are anxious about their family members left behind in North Korea as they face possible humiliation, torture, and relocation to concentration camps. KCI Citation Count: 5