A Meta-Analysis of North Koreans Migrating to China and South Korea

Abstract

Not only have North Koreans massively migrated to South Korea, the majority has migrated illegally to China. This chapter provides a meta-analysis of comprehensive surveys conducted among North Korean migrants by assessing their socio-economic profile and basic sample characteristics. Given the aforementioned migration pattern to South Korea and China, the chapter focuses on respondents interviewed in these two immigration countries only. After examining the course of North Korean migration to China and the ROK from the Cold War onwards, the chapter investigates major studies conducted in China. It then investigates studies published by South Korean researchers who interviewed North Koreans in Hanawon (a facility set up by the government for incoming defectors). Furthermore, the chapter has provided comparative and clear evidence that the majority of migrants come from the two Hamgyong provinces that are close to the Sino-Korean border. Keywords:China; Cold War; economic profile; meta-analysis; North Korean migrant; Sino-Korean border; South Korea