The survey indicates an increase in the employment rate of defectors to 60.5% this year. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 28 (Korea Bizwire) – The recent ’2023 Survey on North Korean Defectors’ conducted by the Korea Hana Foundation reveals significant improvement in the economic activities and settling environment of North Korean defectors residing in South Korea.
The survey, published on December 27, indicates an increase in the employment rate of defectors to 60.5% this year, a 1.3% rise from last year, marking the highest rate since the foundation began its surveys in 2011. Additionally, the unemployment rate has dropped to 4.5%, the lowest since these surveys started, with the previous low being 4.8% in 2015.
Another positive indicator is the monthly average wage of defectors, which has increased to 2.46 million won, up 73,000 won from last year. The average tenure of wage workers has also risen to 36.3 months.
The survey also showed a record-high satisfaction rate with life in South Korea at 79.3%, continuously rising since 72.5% in 2018. The primary reason for satisfaction was the ability to live a free life, while the main cause of dissatisfaction was separation from family in China or North Korea.
In terms of socio-economic achievements, North Korean defectors view their current state and future improvement possibilities more optimistically than the general population, as 59.8% of defectors are satisfied with their socio-economic achievements, compared to 31.8% of the general population. Similarly, 71.3% of defectors believe in the high possibility of improving their socio-economic status, significantly higher than the 26.4% among the general population.
Experiences of discrimination or neglect due to their defector status have decreased, with only 16.1% affirming such experiences, a drop from 19.5% last year. Cultural communication differences were cited as the main reason for discrimination or neglect.
The survey identifies employment/entrepreneurship support, medical support, and educational support as the top needs for a better life in South Korea.
The Korea Hana Foundation expressed optimism about the overall improvement in the settling level of North Korean defectors. The organization plans to continue refining support programs and developing tailored initiatives to maintain positive outcomes.
The survey was conducted among 2,500 defectors over the age of 15 who arrived in South Korea between January 1997 and December 2022. The full report will be available on the foundation’s website and the National Statistical Portal (KOSIS).
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
