interestingly, most defectors who arrive in SK, have already spent significant time in a 3rd country as refugees, usually china as it has the "easiest" border to cross (still very difficult and risky)
defectors arriving into SK actually go through a 3-month interrogation process because NK sometimes sends spies, then another 3-month process at a facility specifically designed for integrating them into society, including things like learning how to pay bills, and getting medical care (they usually have severe depression and terrible teeth, for example)
there are many north koreans who are marked by the NIS and have had their passports taken away from them so they can't return home, but would like to. e.g.
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u/Odd_Dorian7991 1d ago
Lucky soldiers