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North Korea is one of the most secluded countries in existence, where the government strictly controls communication between its citizens and the outside world. Foreign media is prohibited unless authorized by the government, and tourists are restricted from freely engaging with the local population.
In mid-2017, the United States imposed a ban on its citizens traveling to North Korea following the tragic incident involving American tourist Otto Warmbier. Warmbier was arrested for a minor transgression, sentenced to 15 years of hard labor, fell into a coma during his imprisonment, and died soon after returning to the U.S.
Life in North Korea is harsh and unbearable. Citizens face daily challenges, including increasing rates of murder, rape, torture, and starvation. The food scarcity is so severe that it leads to widespread stunting among children.
Approximately 25% of the population lacks access to adequate healthcare, and 20% are deprived of proper sanitation and clean drinking water. Human rights violations are so rampant in North Korea that every ordinary citizen there has endured such abuse at least once in their lifetime.
The regime operates under a dictatorship, restricting its citizens from leaving the country. Anyone attempting to escape North Korea is branded a traitor and faces harsh penalties, including imprisonment and forced labor, if caught and returned to the nation.
Despite the risks, North Koreans have never abandoned their desire to escape the country. Several individuals have managed to break free and successfully flee. Here are the top 10 methods of escaping North Korea.
10. The Demilitarized Zone
The demilitarized zone (DMZ) is a strip of land that divides North Korea from South Korea. It spans approximately 240 kilometers (150 miles) and is heavily fortified on both sides, with large military forces stationed by both nations.
Attempting to escape through the DMZ is extremely perilous for civilians due to the presence of land mines and the ever-ready North Korean soldiers, who are eager to shoot defectors on sight. Ironically, however, North Korean soldiers tasked with guarding this stretch of the border have managed to use this route to escape safely in the past.
South Korea typically grants citizenship to North Korean defectors, ensuring that they do not face the threat of execution if they are sent back to North Korea.
9. The Yellow Sea
The Yellow Sea is the body of water separating North and South Korea, serving as a relatively quick and easy escape route between the two nations. Both countries claim portions of this sea as part of their own territory.
The main risk of using this route for escape is the heavy presence of naval forces from both North and South Korea. The North Korean navy is ruthless, ready to either capture or kill any defector who dares to attempt an escape.
However, there is a glimmer of hope for those attempting to escape via the Yellow Sea. In the past, a few skilled swimmers have managed to swim the relatively short distance to South Korea. Despite the North Korean navy's vigilance, it is challenging to spot a swimmer in the open sea.
8. The Sea of Japan
The Sea of Japan, which serves as a maritime border between North Korea and Japan, is also bordered by South Korea and Russia. This route provides a viable option for North Korean defectors seeking to flee the isolated nation.
The primary challenge with this route is the necessity of a boat to make the journey to Japan or South Korea. Additionally, the trip across the Sea of Japan is a long and treacherous one.
There is, however, hope for defectors as some have successfully used this route in the past. Instead of deporting North Korean defectors, Japan allows them to safely continue their journey to South Korea.
7. The North Korea–China Border
Many North Korean defectors have taken advantage of the shared border between North Korea and China to flee their repressive and isolated homeland. To successfully travel from North Korea to China, defectors often need to work with a Chinese contact or someone familiar with the route to avoid being caught by Chinese border patrols.
The unfortunate reality is that China is extremely hostile towards North Korean migrants. China works closely with North Korea on this matter and regularly deports defectors back to their home country, where they risk facing execution or being sent to forced labor camps.
6. The Olympic Team
Despite North Korea's isolation, the country has its own Olympic team, just like most nations around the world. Being part of the Olympic team offers a unique opportunity for North Koreans.
In addition to giving athletes access to the amenities of democratic nations, being on the Olympic team provides a prime chance to escape the oppressive regime back home. The North Korean government rewards medal winners, but those who return empty-handed face punishment.
This is a strong motivator for athletes to defect from the regime. While it might be difficult for an average North Korean to escape, an Olympic athlete has a distinct advantage. Although North Korean athletes are under strict surveillance during international events, escaping is much easier in host countries, as they are typically democratic nations.
5. The Soccer Team
In 2010, North Korea's soccer team qualified for the World Cup, but they failed to win a single match during the group stage. After allowing 12 goals in three games, they were eliminated from the tournament.
Despite the team's embarrassing performance, the North Korean government responded in typical fashion, humiliating the players at a public event in Pyongyang. As a result, the coach was forced to resign and was reassigned to work in the construction industry.
There is almost no positive news coming out of North Korea. The only significant benefit of being on the North Korean soccer team is the potential opportunity to escape the regime during international competitions.
4. Foreign Labor Mission
North Korea operates a state-run foreign labor mission, sending its citizens to work in countries such as China and Russia. The government profits from this exploitation, using the money to fund its missile programs.
It is estimated that North Korea has its forced laborers stationed in around 45 countries, including several in the European Union. This system of forced labor even plays a role in preparations for events like the 2018 World Cup.
The working conditions are so harsh that North Korean laborers frequently perish on-site. However, the authorities, including the spy police and military, do not monitor these workers to stop them from fleeing. This provides North Koreans with a rare chance to defect from the oppressive regime.
3. Student Exchange Program
A student exchange program enables North Korean students to study abroad, and vice versa. Each year, several students leave China to pursue education in North Korea. While the country is not a popular destination for Chinese students, a few adventurous ones still choose to go.
One of the benefits of the student exchange program is that hardworking North Koreans get the chance to study overseas. This creates a win-win situation for several reasons. Students who return home may use their knowledge from advanced nations to help improve conditions for the less fortunate in North Korea, who cannot leave. At the same time, the program offers an escape from the brutal regime for those who wish to flee.
2. Air Koryo
North Korea operates a state-owned airline named Air Koryo. Like nearly everything else the country offers, excluding its missiles and nuclear weapons, Air Koryo is infamous for its poor quality. It holds the distinction of being the only one-star airline worldwide.
The airline’s low rating is largely due to negative feedback from passengers. Air Koryo customers have complained about indifferent flight attendants, the presence of propaganda newspapers, and unappetizing food. Furthermore, its routes are extremely limited. For instance, Air Koryo is banned from entering European Union airspace.
The list of complaints against the airline seems endless, ranging from the use of outdated Soviet-era aircraft to the screening of North Korean propaganda films to unwilling passengers. The airline also lacks typical amenities found in the travel industry, such as frequent flyer miles, hotel points, and car rental services.
The only positive aspect of Air Koryo is that it provides an opportunity for North Korean citizens to defect. Although the airline only operates flights to and from countries that support the regime, there have been no reports of armed guards monitoring the flight attendants or pilots.
1. North Korean Diplomatic Corps
Like every other country, North Korea maintains a diplomatic corps and operates embassies in certain foreign nations. Despite its efforts to emulate successful countries, it is nearly impossible for the reclusive state to mask its impoverished condition.
The staff at North Korean embassies are paid so poorly that they often resort to buying secondhand office supplies. This apparent lack of funds is attributed to a directive from the North Korean government requiring embassies to be self-sufficient whenever feasible. Furthermore, some North Korean officials have been apprehended in various countries for abusing their diplomatic privileges to commit crimes.
Although life within the North Korean diplomatic corps is challenging, it offers a significant opportunity to escape the country. Over the years, there have been several high-profile defections. For instance, in 2016, a senior North Korean diplomat along with his wife and children defected to South Korea from the United Kingdom. Similarly, in 1997, the North Korean ambassador to Egypt defected to the United States.
