38 North Korean Defectors Entered in Q1 This Year... Half Are '2030 MZ'
The number of North Korean defectors entering South Korea in the first quarter of this year was 38.
According to the Ministry of Unification on the 17th, the number of defectors entering from January to March was a total of 38, including 27 women and 11 men. Among them, those in their 20s and 30s accounted for more than half.
The Ministry of Unification stated that it is rare for these defectors to come directly from North Korea to South Korea; most cases involve staying overseas for several years before entering.
Over the past three years, the number of defectors entering in the first quarter was 34 in 2023, 43 in 2024, and 38 in 2025. The proportion of those in their 20s and 30s has consistently exceeded 50%.
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An official from the Ministry of Unification explained, "There are quarterly fluctuations, and since future entry trends have variables, it is necessary to continue monitoring."
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