Number of North Korean Defectors Decreases As Kim Jong Un Establishes Tougher Border Control

by Czarelli Tuason / Jan 05, 2016 08:50 AM EST

North Korean soldier stands guard on the country's border. (Photo by Cancan Chu/Getty Images)

The Unification Ministry noted that the number of North Korean defectors has significantly decreased by half since current North Korean leader Kim Jong Un assumed his position in 2011, allegedly attributed to the tougher border control the supreme leader has established, reported Korea Times on Monday.

In 2015, some 1,277 North Koreans have reportedly migrated to other countries, including South Korea via China. The figure has decreased by 52.8 percent from 2011's recorded 2,706 defectors.

In 2001, around 1,000 North Korean defectors entered South Korea, and the number eventually rose to 2,914 in 2009. However, a sharp decline was observed in 2012, with only 1,502 recorded defectors, 1,514 in 2014, and 1,397 in 2015. Of the recorded North Korean defectors settling in South Korea in 2015, 80 percent were female as they were less subject to surveillance and it is easier for them to land a job overseas as housekeepers.

The Guardian also noted on May 7, 2015 that one of the reasons for the decline in North Korean defectors is the improvement in the economy of North Korea. Even though malnutrition is still one of the country's issues, starvation is no longer a worry even for poor citizens.

Also, the cost for bribing border guards in order to ensure safety of trip has also increased significantly. In 2008, 50 U.S. dollars was the going rate for bribing guards, but in present days, crossing the border requires a hefty 3,000 to 6,000 U.S. dollars.

As Kim Jong Un considers defectors a threat to his regime, increasing the risk of information from the North leaking to other parts of the world, he established new and advanced set of policies to prevent North Koreans from defecting.

A number of fences have been placed on the borders, where military personnel are positioned to guard the area. These officials are also rotated every once in a while to avoid establishing close relations with locals.

Whether or not people believe Kim's policies are effective, migration statistics show that the North has somehow succeeded in controlling its people over the last few years of Kim's regime.