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North Korean defectors

A North Korean soldier keeps watch toward the south through a binocular telescope

South Korea just repatriated two North Korean fishermen. Why?

Conflict & Justice

The two are suspected of murdering 16 of their fellow crew members and allegedly dumping their bodies overboard. North Korean defectors and human rights activists are blasting the government for sending them back to “certain death” without a proper trial.

A woman with her back turned to the camera cooks while lookers-on watch from behind a raised counter.

In UK, North Korean defectors raise awareness with Lunar New Year Feast

Crutches

My crutches: The story of a North Korean defector

Global Politics
Actress and North Korean defector Kim Ah-ra, 25, on a talk show showcasing “northern beauties” from North Korea.

From tyranny to reality TV: Meet the celebrity defector women of North Korea

Media
Singing waitresses entertain crowds at a North Korean restaurant in the Chinese border city of Dandong, on May 28, 2009.

Why North Korean peace talks may hinge on 12 singing waitresses

Culture
North Korean soldiers

She once served in North Korea’s army. Now she thinks Trump is a ‘cool guy.’

Conflict

In a rare interview, a defector of an all-female division of the North Korean army describes life then and now.

Cheong-Suk Ryang, 36, a defector from North Korea hoping to reach South Korea via Thailand, sits in her cell at the Chiang Saen police station in Thailand, after she and four other North Korean women were arrested on the Thai-Lao border. Photo taken May 9

More North Koreans are escaping to Thailand via an ‘underground railroad’

Justice

Thailand is about 3,000 miles from North Korea. But for North Koreans seeking to defect from their abusive state into South Korea, it’s the closest reachable nation where they can reasonably expect that the government will deliver them to South Korean officials.

South Korean officials trying to convince youth of importance of unification

As American and North Korean officials try to return to nuclear disarmament talks, South Korean officials are using online video and entertainment to try to convince their young people reunification with North Korea is important.

24-year old North Korean refugee Danbi was a smuggler in North Korea's black markets. Here she gives us a tour of a market in South Korea, which reminds her of the markets in the North.

Why young North Koreans are daring to wear skinny jeans

Culture

Meet a young North Korean woman, who dared to defy her government, by wearing skinny jeans.

hand phone illustration by Leslie Agan

If you’re placing a phone call to North Korea, it may be answered on a ‘hand phone’

Culture

An illustrator takes on the North Korean re-imagination of English words.