A view of Panmunjom in Paju, Nov. 29, 2022 / Joint Press Corps

It’s often said that 34,000 North Korean refugees live in South Korea. But how accurate is that claim? And can the number be known?

For example, The Diplomat wrote, “It’s hardly surprising that many of the 34,000 North Koreans in the South report feeling lonely and isolated.” The Asia Foundation noted, “There are almost 34,000 North Korean refugees in South Korea.” A 2023 MSN/The Telegraph article described one refugee as “one of the 34,000 North Koreans who now live in South Korea.” A U.S. congressional testimony in 2023 asserted, “Today, there are 34,000 defectors living in South Korea.” Even The Korea Times stated in July 2024, “Currently, about 34,000 North Korean defectors reside in South Korea.”

The 34,000 figure is cumulative since the late 1990s — not current — and the actual number of North Korean refugees currently living in South Korea is likely lower because of deaths, disappearances, re-defections, and onward migration. The South Korean government publishes arrival statistics, but is there comprehensive tracking of who remains in the country long-term?

First of all, the 34,000 number is probably lower because some North Korean refugees have committed suicide, died of illness or natural causes, or been murdered. Life in South Korea isn’t always easy for North Korean refugees. Many struggle with economic hardship, discrimination, and mental health challenges, leading to alarmingly high suicide rates. According to multiple reports and as I........

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