"I Wanted to Live Like a Human"... 'Iut' Defectors Preparing for a New Start

24th Anniversary of Hana Center Opening... Anonymous Interviews with 3 North Korean Defectors
"Learned Human Rights from South Korean Dramas... Want to Live Proudly"
"Grateful to Korean Society... Will Work Hard to Give Back"
Kwon Young-se: "Please Embrace Them Simply as Neighbors from Their North Korean Hometowns"

Kim Hana (pseudonym), a woman in her 20s who lived in the border area between North Korea and China, found it difficult to make a living starting in 2016 as authorities intensified customs crackdowns. Most people in the border area survive by selling goods smuggled through customs, but as the authorities began cracking down on smuggling, her income was completely cut off. As life became increasingly difficult, with even basic daily necessities hard to obtain, Kim risked her life to escape. This happened in 2019, before North Korea’s borders were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After crossing the border, Kim began working at a household in China. She worked desperately to survive, but without proper identification, she was paid only half of what Chinese workers earned. She could hardly go out for fear of being caught by the public security and sent back to North Korea. Without an ID, even taking a train was a life-threatening risk. When asked why she decided to defect to South Korea, she said, "I once watched a Korean drama and learned about 'human rights' for the first time," adding, "I wanted to live proudly like a human being."

Risking Life to Escape... "I Wanted to Live Like a Human in Korea"

On the morning of the 10th, North Korean defectors are receiving baking and pastry training at the Hana Center Vocational Training Institute, an agency under the Ministry of Unification that supports the social settlement of North Korean defectors.

Kim, along with Han Ji-won (pseudonym), a woman in her 30s who defected in 2014, and Lee Jung-eun (pseudonym), a woman in her 30s who left North Korea in 2004, met with reporters from the Ministry of Unification press corps on the 10th at Hanawon (North Korean Defectors Settlement Support Office) located in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. Having escaped North Korea at different times and lived in hiding in China, they entered South Korea several months ago. They are currently staying at Hanawon, learning how to live in South Korea. All defectors who come to South Korea undergo basic investigations by intelligence agencies and receive 12 weeks of settlement education at Hanawon.

Han said she was not afraid when she first decided to defect. Since she had no family to take care of, she thought, "I just need to take care of myself." However, after living in China, she had a child to protect, and the thought of not being able to live if she returned to North Korea overwhelmed her with anxiety. She explained, "Since being in China itself is illegal, I couldn’t live confidently due to the fear of being sent back. I wanted to be safe first and protect myself and my child, which played a big role in my decision to head to South Korea."

Having hidden her identity in China for nearly 10 years, Han now has many dreams. She said, "I have been given opportunities to do things I couldn’t dream of before," and "Coming to Korea, I can think about what I want to do, and Hanawon teaches me how to make a living from it." She added, "I am receiving education and living with a lot of support funded by taxpayers’ money," expressing her gratitude repeatedly, saying, "I worry about how I can earn a lot of money and pay back by contributing more taxes."

On the morning of the 10th, North Korean defectors are receiving ITQ training at the computer room of Hanawon, an institution under the Ministry of Unification that supports the social settlement of North Korean defectors.

Lee, who even became a "flower child" after North Korea’s ration system collapsed, escaped North Korea as a teenager. She suffered from malnutrition due to lack of food, and her mother’s goods, which she sold at the market to make a living, were often confiscated by the security forces. Feeling like she would die if she stayed, she crossed the Tumen River with her sisters. She said, "Even though the language barrier was tough, at first I thought China was better than North Korea, but due to COVID-19, ID checks became very difficult," adding, "I came because I was told that if I go to Korea, I would get an ID and live well."

Having crossed life-and-death lines since childhood, Lee vowed firmly to settle successfully. She emphasized, "I lived so poorly and painfully in North Korea, but if I work hard in Korea, I can live comfortably." She continued, "I have received a lot of education, and what I learned at Hanawon will be very helpful in managing a household," expressing deep gratitude to Hanawon, the National Intelligence Service, and Korean society that supports defectors, saying, "Thanks to them, I feel I can live with all my strength."

Kwon Young-se: "Defectors Are Our Neighbors, We Need an Inclusive Attitude"

Unification Minister Kwon Young-se held a press briefing on the morning of the 10th at Hanawon to commemorate the 24th anniversary of its opening.

According to the Ministry of Unification, the cumulative number of defectors entering South Korea is 33,882. Most come from Hamgyong Province and Yanggang Province (85%), and the majority are women (72%). By the time of defection, those in their 20s and 30s make up 57%, and currently, those in their 30s and 40s are the largest group.

Before Kim Jong-un’s rule, over 3,000 defectors entered annually, but the number gradually decreased to around 1,000 and then plummeted to double digits after the COVID-19 outbreak. Recent figures show 1,047 in 2019, 229 in 2020, 63 in 2021, and 67 in 2022. In the first quarter of this year, 34 defectors entered, showing a slight increase as COVID-19 restrictions eased. However, with China’s "forced repatriation policy," facial recognition CCTV, and the enforcement of the revised Anti-Espionage Act, the surveillance network has tightened, making it even harder for North Korean residents hiding in China to defect.

Hanawon is focusing on "customized education" in response to the decreasing number of defectors. Seo Jeong-bae, director of Hanawon, said, "The most important task while staying at Hanawon is choosing one’s career path." Hanawon offers various practical training courses such as sewing, cooking, baking, and skincare. Defectors who have completed basic education can also receive vocational training as "re-education." As of the first half of the year, 238 people participated in 33 courses, with 217 completing the education and 163 obtaining certifications.

As important as career choice is the mental health of defectors. Director Seo explained, "Many suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the rate of psychiatric treatment is five times higher than that of the general public." Accordingly, Hanawon has established a "mental health support system" that includes "Hanawon Clinic," staffed by 25 professionals such as doctors, nurses, dental hygienists, and nursing assistants, as well as a network connecting Hanawon, Hanawon Foundation, and Hanawon Center. This system provides ongoing monitoring until defectors resolve their mental health issues.

On this day, the Ministry of Unification held a "Press Day" to commemorate the 24th anniversary of Hanawon’s opening, showcasing Hanawon’s facilities and educational programs to domestic and foreign media. When asked about the intention behind publicly disclosing issues that North Korea dislikes about defectors, Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se replied, "Unlike the previous government, the new administration’s policy is to pay special attention to North Korea’s human rights issues and the settlement, support, and protection of defectors." He added, "Our perspective needs to become more open," urging, "We need an inclusive attitude that treats defectors not as strangers but as neighbors whose hometown is North Korea."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.