North Korean expats choose exile for children's future

North Korean expats choose exile for children's future. April. 13, 2016 07:22. by 윤완준기자 zeitung@donga.com.

North Korean expats and diplomats working at overseas government offices are increasingly hoping to escape if they are abruptly summoned by the country to return. Many are also opting to escape saying their children 's future cannot be ensured if they return to the North. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is tightening his regime by strengthening control and supervision, but expats are feeling more emotional turmoil.

"North Korean expats and officials overseas are increasingly opting to escape for their children's future," said the National Security Strategy Institute's Vice Chairman Koh Young-hwan, who was former North Korean diplomat, on Tuesday. "There are even cases that some people, when it is time to return, escape because their children don't want to return." People escape for education purpose because they are now older and may not have chance to work as an expat further. "North Korean officials and expats are increasingly growing skeptical of having to sacrifice for the country," Koh said.

"Among middle class in Pyongyang, many support their children escape to South Korea for their children's education," a South Korean government official said. "Many ordinary North Koreans are also supporting their children in their teens flee to South Korea."

Last year, major executives at North Korea's key institutions and the ruling Workers' Party working in overseas offices have exiled to South Korea, which is also evidence of such a trend. Trade related overseas officials are also rushing to flee.

Thirteen employees at a North Korean restaurant escaped in group on Thursday last week. A North Korea expert said it appears to be a miracle that these people escaped despite direct monitoring by the political security department. "We are closely watching what impact the serial breakaway is giving to the North Korean regime," a South Korean government official said.