The number of North Korean defectors entering the country has been steadily increasing since the 2000s, reaching 2,000 to 3,000 per year from 2003 to 2011. Since 2012, the number has remained at around 1,300 per year, and in 2016, the number of North ...
The number of North Korean defectors entering the country has been steadily increasing since the 2000s, reaching 2,000 to 3,000 per year from 2003 to 2011. Since 2012, the number has remained at around 1,300 per year, and in 2016, the number of North Korean defectors staying in the country exceeded 30,000. However, due to the closure of the borders due to COVID-19, the number decreased to 63 in 2021 and 67 in 2022. As COVID-19 ends in 2023 and border
surveillance is eased, the number of North Korean defectors entering the country is expected to increase again, reaching 196 in 2023 and 236 in 2024.
As the number of North Korean defectors entering the country increases, the number of crimes they commit is also increasing, and among them, drug crimes are occurring at a very serious level.
According to data from the Ministry of Justice, the number of North Korean defectors incarcerated in correctional facilities is increasing every year, and drug crimes account for more than 30% of the crimes committed by inmates. This means that one in three North Korean defectors incarcerated are drug criminals, which proves that drug crimes committed by North Korean defectors are serious.
Drug crimes are not limited to individual drug use, but are serious crimes that can lead to secondary and tertiary crimes such as violence, rape, murder, illegal filming, and distribution, so the severity of the crime is very serious.
In 2023, the number of drug criminals in Korea was recorded at 27,611, the highest number ever. Drug crimes in Korea are continuously increasing due to the non-face-to-face environment and ease of transaction, such as paying with digital currency (bitcoin) using secure messengers (Telegram) and delivering them by
throwing. In addition, drug crimes committed by North Korean defectors are also increasing, so there is a need to prepare countermeasures for this.
This study aims to identify the causes of the increasing drug crimes committed by North Korean defectors and to suggest measures to prevent and rehabilitate drug crimes committed by North Korean defectors. To achieve this goal, a literature review method was used that utilized domestic and international academic papers, dissertations, research reports, books, government periodicals and press releases, legal information, and Internet articles.
Chapter 2 of this study provides an overview of drug crimes
committed by North Korean defectors, and studies the characteristics of North Korean defectors and the causes and actual conditions of drug crimes committed by them. Chapter 3 examines the current drug control and prevention education policies and rehabilitation policies for drug offenders that the Korean government is currently implementing in response to drug crimes committed by North Korean defectors residing in Korea. In addition, the drug control and rehabilitation
policies of the United States and Singapore, which have similar drug criminalization policies to those of Korea, were reviewed to study the parts that can be introduced to suit the circumstances of Korea.
The research results on the causes of drug crimes committed by North Korean defectors are as follows: First, there was the drug industry led by the North Korean government and the economic crisis. This became the opportunity for drugs to spread within North Korean society. Drugs were used as regular medicines in North Korean society and were used as a means of making a living through smuggling. Since there is no education on drug use in North Korea, North Korean defectors were not aware of the dangers and illegality of drugs. Second, North Korean defectors have difficulty adapting to the South Korean social system due to differences in politics, economy, culture, language, and way of thinking. The stress caused by maladjustment experienced by these defectors is caused by
the habit and experience of using drugs to receive comfort and stability, which makes them want to feel those feelings again. In order to find this psychological well-being, they use drugs again, and further pursue pleasure, and eventually become tempted to participate in drug crimes. Third, North Korean defectors have a high unemployment rate in South Korean society, have a short tenure, and their average wages are much lower than those of ordinary South Korean workers, indicating that their economic indicators are not good. This has acted as a factor in engaging in drug crimes as a means of making money. These reasons were used to infer that drug use among North Korean defectors has increased.
In Chapter 4, the characteristics of North Korean defectors and the causes and actual conditions of drug crimes and the current status of drug crimes against North Korean defectors implemented by the government in Chapter 2, and the drug treatment and rehabilitation policies of foreign countries are analyzed to suggest the following measures to prevent drug crimes against North Korean defectors and rehabilitate drug offenders.
First, drug tests should be conducted at the initial entry into the country. Second, a database related to drug crimes against North Korean defectors should be established. Third, a specialized drug crimes organization for North Korean defectors should be established. For drug crime prevention education, first, drug crime education by experts within Hanawon should be expanded. Second, drug crime prevention education at the Regional Adaptation Center (Hana Center) should be regularized. Third, a customized drug crime program for North Korean defectors should be developed. In order to improve the support system for preventing drug crimes, first, the Regional Adaptation Center (Hana Center) should be linked with the Han-Geul-Eum Center. Second, the vocational training system should
be improved and vocational rehabilitation should be supported for economic activities. Third, we need to improve the public perception of the image of North Korean defectors. In order to rehabilitate drug offenders, first, the treatment protection system should be activated. Second, government agencies should establish residential rehabilitation facilities. Third, we proposed that post-management of drug offenders be implemented through regular drug tests.
This study presented measures for preventing drug crimes and rehabilitating North Korean defectors. In a situation where drug crimes are a very serious social problem, we hope that this study will serve as a foundation for future related research by suggesting solutions in terms of preventing drug crimes by North Korean
defectors and treating and rehabilitating drug offenders rather than punishing them.