Statement by the NHRCK Chairperson on the 2nd North Korean Defectors Day
– Reaffirming the Importance of Human Rights and Social Integration of North Korean Defectors through Empathy and Inclusion –
□ The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (Chairperson: Ahn Chang-ho, hereinafter “NHRCK”) issues the following statement to commemorate the 2nd North Korean Defectors Day on July 14.
□ North Korean Defectors Day was designated as an official commemorative day in 2024 with the aim of recognizing North Korean defectors as equal members of our society, and affirming our commitment to their genuine integration through social empathy and inclusion.
□ Following the Arduous March in North Korea in the mid- to late-1990s, the number of defectors surged, with annual entries rising from fewer than 10 prior to 1993 to several hundreds or even thousands in the years that followed. However, after the closure of the North Korea-China border during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of entrants dropped sharply to 63 in 2021 and 67 in 2022. This figure began to recover, reaching 196 in 2023 and 236 in 2024. As of the first quarter of 2025, the cumulative number of North Korean defectors entering South Korea stands at 34,352.
○ Most recent entrants had fled North Korea before the pandemic and stayed in third countries such as China or Southeast Asian countries for an extended period before arriving in South Korea. Among the total 34,352 defectors, approximately 72% are women. Of the 38 individuals who entered during the first quarter of 2025, over half (52%) were in their 20s or 30s, reflecting a high proportion of young defectors.
□ North Korean defectors are Korean nationals who have endured immense physical and psychological suffering, from their dangerous journeys out of North Korea to their subsequent settlement in the South. In addition to the difficulties experienced during defection, many face social isolation, communication barriers, and the lack of support networks upon arrival, leading to repeated challenges in adjusting to South Korean society—including barriers to employment, education, and social inclusion due to prevailing prejudice and discrimination.
□ In 1997, the government enacted the “Act on the Protection and Settlement Support of Residents Escaping from North Korea” to provide comprehensive support for their stable resettlement. Since then, through institutions such as Hanawon, local Hana Centers, and local governments, the government has implemented various support systems including livelihood aid, education, employment, and psychological support.
○ Nonetheless, tragic incidents—such as the death of the three sisters in Songpa in 2014, the deaths of a mother and her child in Gwanak-gu in 2019, and the solitary death case in Yangcheon-gu in 2022—demonstrate that even those who risked their lives to defect to South Korea may still face tragic death due to extreme poverty. In response, the NHRCK conducted a fact-finding investigation in 2023 on the human rights conditions of households in crisis among North Korean defectors, and is currently reviewing policy improvement recommendation based on the findings.
□ While economic, medical, and educational support can be addressed through governmental efforts, a true sense of belonging and self-worth as members of the community can only be fostered through mutual respect and recognition. Therefore, it is imperative to regard North Korean defectors as integral members of our society, going beyond mere material assistance to embrace inclusive attitudes and practices.
□ The NHRCK hopes that our society will become more mature by embracing North Korean defectors not with discrimination and prejudice, but with compassion and solidarity, so that they may enjoy a life of dignity as respected members of our community. We also hope that all members of our society will grow in their ability to understand and coexist with those of different backgrounds through engagement with defectors from the North.
○ Moving forward, the NHRCK will continue to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of settlement support policies for North Korean defectors, and strive to build a more inclusive society where no defector feels isolated due to discrimination or bias.
July 14, 2025
Ahn Chang-ho
Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission of Korea
