Living Among the Two Koreas

Each year, a handful of North Korean citizens leave their past lives behind in hopes of gaining freedom as defectors to South Korea. Until recently, social foundations have existed to support the transition of these defectors into a new society. But under the Moon administration, such organizations have seen their funding slashed, and the government has even willingly repatriated some defectors to almost certain death. Without sufficient financial or social support, North Korean defectors band together to survive as hard lives grow even harder. In recent years, the South Korean government has reduced funding to support defectors from North Korea. Those who risk their lives to find freedom now face prejudice and life below the poverty line.