SEOUL — The number of North Korean defectors arriving in South Korea reached 105 in the first half of the year, indicating a slight increase from the previous year, a Unification Ministry official announced on Tuesday. This increment comes despite the ongoing challenges faced by those fleeing the regime.
According to Yonhap News Agency, 43 North Koreans defected to South Korea from January to March, while another 62 made the journey during the April to June period. This year's figures show an increase from the 99 defectors recorded in the first half of last year. South Korea maintains a policy of accepting North Koreans who seek refuge in the country, a practice that has led to South Korea being home to over 34,000 North Korean defectors. The continuous influx of defectors highlights the persistent food shortages and severe political oppression in North Korea.