43 North Korean escapees reach South Korea in first quarter

Seoul says

Alannah Hill Apr 30 2024

43 North Korean escapees have reached South Korea in the first quarter of this year, the South Korean Unification Ministry said Wednesday. This is the highest number of defectors in a single quarter since 2020, when 104 defectors arrived in the first three months of that year.

The ministry said that of the 43 defectors, 36 crossed the heavily fortified border between the two Koreas, while seven arrived by sea.

The ministry added that it is closely monitoring the situation and taking necessary measures to support the defectors.