Hyemin Lee (Illustration by Hyemin Lee/Stripes Korea)

North Korea may be only a short distance from South Korea, but most North Korean defectors don’t cross the border directly. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is one of the most heavily guarded places in the world, so many escape routes go north into China and then through other countries to come to South Korea. Under South Korea’s constitutional view, the entire Korean Peninsula is considered ROK territory, so North Koreans who resettle in the South are recognized as citizens of the Republic of Korea. After arrival, they are screened by South Korean agencies including the NIS before receiving resettlement education and support. Many still face real challenges adjusting to a society that is very different from where they came from. Their stories aren’t only a reminder of Korea’s division, but also human stories of survival and freedom.

Gohyang (Hometown) (Image by Stripes Korea)