Unification Ministry Considers Changing Term from "North Korean Defectors" to "Bukhyangmin"... Final Decision by Year-End After Gathering Opinions

The Ministry of Unification is considering changing the term used to describe residents who have escaped from North Korea from "defectors" to "Bukhyangmin" (people who have come from the North).

On September 16, an official from the Ministry of Unification told reporters, "We are reviewing a change in terminology to support the stable settlement and social integration of North Korean defectors," adding, "The North Korean Defectors Association is currently conducting a research project on this issue." The official continued, "We plan to gather opinions from the defector community and select the new term by the end of the year, after consulting with experts and the National Institute of the Korean Language."

Legally, the term "North Korean escapee" is currently used. The official stated, "We will consider both the social terminology and the need to amend the legal term, and will review all realistic options."

This move to change the terminology reflects the intent of Minister Jeong Dongyoung. In a congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony of the Unification Plus Center in the Gyeonggi region the previous day, Minister Jeong said, "The word 'defector' is the term North Korean escapees dislike the most, as it carries a negative nuance," adding, "The term 'Bukhyangmin,' meaning 'people who have left their hometowns in the North,' seems to have the most support."

Minister Jeong also attempted to introduce the term "Saeteomin" (new settlers) during his previous tenure as Minister of Unification under the Roh Moo-hyun administration in 2004. However, the term was not widely adopted due to strong resistance from the defector community. In contrast, according to the Ministry of Unification, the term "Bukhyangmin" is already widely used within the defector community.

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