SEOUL: The number of North Korean defectors entering South Korea in the first three quarters of 2024 has risen to 181, showing an increase compared to the same period last year, according to a unification ministry official. This figure signals a potential shift in the movement of individuals fleeing the North after a period of decline caused by strict border controls during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a total of 76 defectors, comprising 12 men and 64 women, successfully made their way to South Korea in the July-September period. This brings the cumulative number of North Korean defectors residing in the South to 34,259. The unification ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that the third-quarter numbers are slightly higher compared to the same period last year and the second quarter of this year. However, the official emphasized the importance of monitoring the annual total due to the potential for fluctuations driven by various factors.
The recent increase
follows a significant decrease in defections attributed to the North’s stringent border lockdowns aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19. The unification ministry continues to track these movements closely as part of its broader efforts to understand and manage the complexities associated with North Korean defections.