Map Of The Most Common North Korean Defector Routes

Map created by CeosadThe map above shows the most common routes North Korean defectors use to get to South Korea. Now you may wonder why don’t they just cross directly into South Korea.

And the answer of course is the DMZ (The Demilitarized Zone), and as the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) states:

Don’t believe the name: The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two rival Koreas might be the most heavily armed place in the world. Two million mines, barbed wire fences, tank traps and tens of thousands of troops from both countries patrol a divided swathe of land 248 kilometres long and 4 kilometres wide.

Therefore, with the exception of 20 defectors going via the DMZ since 1996, those North Koreans hoping to leave the Hermit Kingdom go through China one way or another.

As reported by the BBC North Korean defectors who make it to the South receive:

12 weeks of adaptation training
$6,000-$32,400 settlement benefits (depending on size of household)
$13,300-$19,100 Housing subsidy
Free education in public schools and universities

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the routes and key information:

Route Breakdown:

Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) Route:

Defectors take a northern route, crossing from North Korea into China.

They continue through China and reach Mongolia, often aiming for Ulaanbaatar. Mongolia, though not geographically close to South Korea, is a common intermediary because defectors may receive help from international organizations there.

Kunming (China) Route:

This route involves fleeing from North Korea into China, traveling through China’s southern regions, and continuing toward Southeast Asia. Kunming is a central transit point. From here, defectors often move toward Thailand or Laos.

Bangkok (Thailand) Route:

The southern extension of the Kunming route leads to Bangkok, Thailand.

Thailand has been a common destination for North Korean defectors because of its policy of treating defectors as illegal immigrants, detaining them, and then facilitating their eventual travel to South Korea.

Defection Figures and Risks:

Defection Numbers:
- The number of North Korean defectors has fluctuated over the years. Between 1998 and 2019, more than 33,000 North Koreans defected to South Korea. However, the number of defectors has dropped significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic, due to heightened border controls by North Korea, China, and other countries.
- According to South Korean government data, defector numbers peaked in 2009 when over 2,900 people made the journey, but since then numbers have dropped to a low of 63 in 2021 due to the Pandemic and only 196 in 2023. (see below for a table)
Risks Involved:
- China:
  - The greatest danger defectors face is in China, which does not recognize them as refugees but rather as illegal immigrants. If caught, North Korean defectors are forcibly repatriated to North Korea, where they face severe punishment, including imprisonment, forced labor, or even execution.
- Human Trafficking:
  - Female defectors, who make up about 70% of all North Korean defectors, are at significant risk of human trafficking in China. Many are sold into forced marriages or exploited in the sex trade.
- Harsh Terrain:
  - The journey often involves crossing treacherous terrain like mountains, rivers, and vast distances, sometimes without proper supplies or guides. The physical and emotional toll is immense.
- Exploitation by Smugglers:
  - Defectors frequently rely on brokers and smugglers to navigate borders. These smugglers can extort defectors for more money than initially agreed upon, abandon them, or even turn them over to authorities for financial reward.
- Police and Border Patrols:
  - North Korean defectors must evade border patrols in multiple countries, especially in China. There is always a risk of arrest and deportation.

Number of North Korean Defectors To South Korea Since 2002

Year	Male	Female	Total
2002	510	632	1,142
2003	474	811	1,285
2004	626	1,272	1,898
2005	424	960	1,384
2006	515	1,513	2,028
2007	573	1,981	2,554
2008	608	2,195	2,803
2009	662	2,252	2,914
2010	591	1,811	2,402
2011	795	1,911	2,706
2012	404	1,098	1,502
2013	369	1,145	1,514
2014	305	1,092	1,397
2015	251	1,024	1,275
2016	302	1,116	1,418
2017	188	939	1,127
2018	168	969	1,137
2019	202	845	1,047
2020	72	157	229
2021	40	23	63
2022	35	32	67
2023	32	164	196
2024 (H1)	10	95	105
Total	8,156	24,037	32,193

Sources for Defection Figures and Risks:

Ministry of Unification (South Korea): Provides official statistics and data on defector numbers.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) Reports: Document the dangers faced by North Korean defectors, including human trafficking and forced repatriation.
Amnesty International and UNHCR: Track human rights abuses and provide detailed accounts of defector journeys.
Research Papers and First-Hand Accounts: Such as those published by organizations like the Database Center for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB) and defector testimonies shared through media and international conferences.