The government has announced that it will use the term North Korean-born citizens instead of defectors to refer to individuals from North Korea.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Unification explained that this English expression aims to promote understanding among foreign language speakers while clarifying the purpose behind the use of the term North Korean-born citizens.
Previously, terms like North Korean defectors, refugees, and escapees were commonly used in English to describe these individuals. However, critics argued that these terms focus too much on the act of escaping or defecting from North Korea, failing to adequately convey the individuals’ birth backgrounds or citizenship status.
Taking these concerns into account, the government proposed North Korean-born citizens as a factual description of residents from North Korea.
The term North Korean encompasses not just geographical aspects but also cultural, historical, and ethnic backgrounds, while born specifically identifies individuals who were born in North Korea. Furthermore, the term citizens emphasizes that these individuals are equal citizens protected by the Constitution and laws of South Korea.
The government also noted that this expression implies that individuals retain their South Korean citizenship even if they reside in a third country.
They explained that this new English terminology aims to describe residents from North Korea in a more neutral and factual manner and to promote social integration.