Migration and Asylum in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Abstract

North Korea’s nuclear program and threat to the western world is in the centre of our attention but only high ranking politician defectors come into focus of interest. The number of North Korean refugees increased significantly during the last two decades, and the arising problems in China and South Korea are sources not only of security policy issues but also of social, economic and even international tensions. North Korea ignores even those international treaties which it has signed. For armament North Korea needs growing income, and uses the means of employing its workforce overseas neglecting even the most basic human rights. Nevertheless, this brings about further international tension paradoxically jeopardizing its own resources.