Does South Korea return North Korean defectors?

Since South Korea does not permit its naturalized citizens to travel to the North, they have made their way back to their home country illegally, and thus became “double defectors”. From a total of 25,000 North Korean defectors living in South Korea, about 800 are missing, some of whom may have returned to the North.

What happens to North Korean defectors in China?

While many North Korean defectors would be considered refugees under international law, China labels them illegal economic migrants and enforces repatriation under an agreement with its longtime ally.

Where do North Korean refugees go after North Korea?

The majority of North Korean refugees first make their way to China before moving to other parts of Asia, including South Korea. However, tightened border controls under Kim Jong-un have decreased the outflow of refugees. Though Beijing favors a stable relationship with Pyongyang, it has also bolstered its ties with Seoul.

Did China support North Korea during the Korean War?

China supported North Korea during the Korean War (1950–1953). And in 1961, the Chinese and North Korean governments signed the Sino-North Korean Mutual Aid and Cooperation Friendship Treaty.

Why doesn’t China give North Korean defectors refugee status?

To avoid worsening the already tense relations with the Korean Peninsula, China refuses to grant North Korean defectors refugee status and considers them illegal economic migrants. About 76\% to 84\% of defectors interviewed in China or South Korea came from the Northeastern provinces bordering China.

Is China softening its border trade with North Korea?

Even in the face of mounting trade restrictions, established informal trade along the China-North Korea border in items such as fuel, seafood, silkworms, and cell phones appears to be ongoing, signaling that China may be softening its restrictions.