229 North Korean Defectors Entered Last Year... One-Quarter of Previous Year

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Last year, the number of North Korean defectors entering the country was only about one-quarter of the 2019 level. This appears to be due to strengthened border closures caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The Ministry of Unification announced on the 20th that the number of North Korean defectors entering the country last year was 229.

This is less than one-quarter of the previous year's figure (1,047). The number of women was 157, a 22% decrease compared to the previous year (202), while the number of men was 72, a 93% decrease compared to the previous year (1,047).

Looking at the numbers by quarter, 135 defectors entered in the first quarter, but from the second quarter, when COVID-19 became widespread, the number of defectors dropped to double digits. From the second to the fourth quarter, the number of defectors was 12, 48, and 34, respectively.