On North Korean Defectors' Day, rights watchdog calls for end to discrimination

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea marked the third North Korean Defectors' Day on Tuesday by calling on society to eliminate discrimination and prejudice against North Korean defectors and build a culture of respect and inclusion.

Commission Chairman Ahn Chang-ho issued a statement saying the country must remember "the courage and lives of North Korean defectors who endured a treacherous journey to become members of South Korean society in search of freedom and dignity," adding that "the state and society must share the responsibility of ensuring they can settle stably and enjoy their rights without discrimination."

The commission said the day was established to raise public awareness of North Korean defectors and reaffirm commitments to improving their rights and supporting their resettlement. July 14 is also the anniversary of the enactment of the Act on the Protection and Settlement Support of North Korean Defectors.

According to the Ministry of Unification and the North South Hana Foundation, 34,537 North Korean defectors had entered South Korea as of December last year. Annual arrivals, which fell to fewer than 100 during the COVID-19 pandemic, have since recovered to around 200 per year.

However, discrimination against defectors persists. The foundation's 2025 survey on the living conditions of North Korean defectors found that 14 percent of respondents said they had experienced discrimination or being looked down on because of their background over the previous year. While the figure was lower than the year before, the survey found that everyday discrimination continues, driven by differences in communication styles and negative perceptions of defectors.

"Protecting the human rights of North Korean defectors is not an act of charity toward a particular group — it is an important measure of our society's overall human rights standards and the maturity of our democracy," Ahn said, adding that "social efforts to create an inclusive environment must continue."

He also called for sustained attention to the human rights situation facing people still living in North Korea, saying that "domestic and international institutions, civil society and the international community must work together to advance the human rights of North Korean residents."