Today, the number of North Korean defectors in Korea is on the rise, surpassing 25,000.

Over the past few years, however, their new, yet uneasy, life often came under the media limelight. They were mostly featured having difficulties in getting accustomed to their new lifestyle and to a market-based society.

Recently, however, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published an article that reversed all of those existing perceptions.


In the article, titled "North Korean Refugees Mostly Satisfied in South Korea," the WSJ reported that, "nearly 75 percent of the 2,355 respondents said they are either moderately or very satisfied with their new lives." The assertion is based on a survey conducted last year by the state-funded North Korean Refugees Foundation.

The WSJ reported that there are three major reasons behind the positive responses from the newcomers.

First, they can earn an, "income proportionate to [the] workload." Second, they have the freedom to choose one's own career. Lastly, they can enjoy increased wealth compared to life in the North.

The WSJ mentioned that it was, "a media staple," to portray North Koreans as, "social misfits," saying that, "the survey's results did indeed reveal large disparities." The newspaper continued by saying that about 40 percent of respondents found jobs through their friends and acquaintances, and that most of them are engaged in manual labor and in the hospitality or service industry.

Finally, according to the report, over 70 percent of respondents have an optimistic view about their life and, "see an improvement coming their way."

*Click here to see the original article of the WSJ.

By Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writer
slee27@korea.kr