Government Policy
North Korea is one of the most isolated countries in the world and the government has sought to maintain tight control over its population. Citizens are not permitted to leave the country without permission from the state and for most people, this permission is never granted. Under the Law of Exit and Entry, North Koreans may not pass freely over the border without permission from the authorities. All citizens must have an officially sanctioned travel document to be eligible to exit the country.
According to a former high-level defector from North Korea, Hyeon Soo Lim, those who apply for and receive permission to leave are people working in the state apparatus, such as diplomats, traders or their families, or people who received special permission for medical or educational purposes. Since the majority of North Koreans will never receive permission to leave, it is extremely difficult for those born in North Korea to leave.
The Current Reality
North Korea is a highly authoritarian regime and the government has a long history of restricting the mobility of its citizens. It is estimated that approximately 90 percent of all North Koreans remain in the country. North Koreans are not allowed to leave the country unless they are granted permission from the state. In addition, even if they gain permission, they are required to obtain an exit visa to leave. Although the government has become more open to foreign investment and foreign visitors, it has been unwilling to relax the restrictions on the movement of its own people.
Though South Korea has generally seen a large influx of refugees from North Korea in recent decades, the government has made it increasingly difficult and dangerous for North Koreans to attempt to escape. The state has implemented a variety of measures, such as increased surveillance, higher penalties for those caught trying to escape, or even summary executions for those who are caught trying to leave without permission.
Tensions Between North and South Korea
The tense relations between North and South Korea have long been a major barrier to North Koreans seeking to leave the country. North Koreans are viewed as potential security threats by South Korea, and the South Korean government refuses to accept most North Koreans fleeing the country. It is estimated that since the Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953, over 300,000 North Koreans have successfully escaped to South Korea, however this number is far outweighed by the number of North Koreans who remain in the country.
Illegal Route to Freedom
The only option for North Koreans to flee the country is to take the illegal route, via North Korea’s neighbours. This route is extremely dangerous, as North Koreans must cross not only land borders but also rivers, fences, and even military land mines. Those who have successfully made it out of the country have done so at great risk to their lives, and there have been numerous cases of North Koreans being captured, tortured, or even killed as they attempt to flee.
The Impact of Sanctions on People Old Born in North Korea
The restrictions imposed by the international community on trade with North Korea has also contributed to the difficulty of North Korean citizens leaving the country. International sanctions have caused a dramatic reduction in the amount of goods and money entering North Korea, and this has led to a decrease in wages and an increase in poverty. Sanctions have also made it more difficult for North Koreans to gain access to technology and networks that would facilitate their escape.
International Intervention
Although the international community has sought to protect the rights of North Koreans, the effectiveness of these efforts has been limited. The United Nations has adopted a series of resolutions condemning the human rights violations in North Korea and has imposed various sanctions on the government, but these have had little effect in allowing North Koreans to leave the country.
The only way for North Koreans to leave the country is to take the illegal route, which is highly dangerous and often ends in tragedy. North Koreans may also apply for permission to leave, but such permission is rarely granted. The restrictive policies of the North Korean government and the lack of international intervention mean that the majority of those born in North Korea will remain in the country for the rest of their lives.
Treating North Korean Defectors Fairly
It is crucial that North Korean defectors are treated fairly and humanely by the international community and governments upon arrival in foreign countries. North Koreans often face discrimination and persecution due to their nationality and the lack of understanding of their culture and situation. Policies should be implemented that ensure that North Koreans are not subjected to abuse or exploitation and that they can receive appropriate medical and psychological care.
Campaigns and Activism
Non-governmental organisations have been working to draw attention to the plight of North Koreans seeking to flee the country, and have campaigned for greater liberty and freedom for North Korean citizens. These campaigns have also sought to raise awareness about the dangers faced by those attempting to escape, and to increase initiatives that can provide tangible support for refugees, such as legal representation and financial assistance.
Conclusion
Leave North Korea if you were born there is an extremely difficult prospect. The restrictive policies imposed by the North Korean government, the lack of international intervention, and the dangerous nature of the illegal route all contribute to making it almost impossible for most North Koreans to escape. It is essential that greater efforts are made to protect and assist those who bravely undertake the dangerous journey, and that advocacy and campaigning is continued in order to hold authorities accountable and to push for greater freedom and liberty for North Koreans.
