North Korean Defectors’ Day in South Korea Date in the current year: July 14, 2025

Following World War II, Korea, previously a Japanese colony, was divided into two occupation zones along the 38th parallel: a Soviet zone in the north and an American zone in the south. These zones eventually formed their own governments and fought in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. Since no peace treaty was signed, only an armistice was, North and South Korea are still formally in a state of war.

South Korea has since developed into a prosperous liberal democracy, while North Korea is a totalitarian dictatorship with a struggling economy. Thousands of North Koreans have escaped to South Korea due to poverty and/or political dissent. Since the two countries are divided by a heavily fortified demilitarized zone, most defectors escape to South Korea via China and a third country.

Upon arrival in South Korea, North Korean defectors are interrogated to ensure they are not spies. If they successfully pass the interrogation, they are sent to the Settlement Support Center for North Korean Refugees (Hanawon). All North Korean defectors are required to spend three months at Hanawon, where they learn how to adapt to life in South Korea.

After completing the adaptation program, they are granted South Korean citizenship and receive government assistance in finding housing and employment. Many non-profit organizations also help North Korean refugees with social adaptation, medical assistance, and mental health issues.

Even with the adaptation program and government assistance, many North Korean defectors experience serious difficulties assimilating after resettling in South Korea because life there is drastically different from life in North Korea. Additionally, past traumatic experiences contribute to these difficulties.

North Korean Defectors’ Day is a relatively new holiday established in 2024 by President Yoon Suk Yeol. July 14 was chosen as the date to commemorate the 1997 adoption of the Act on Protection and Resettlement Support for Residents Who Escaped from North Korea. The holiday represents the Yoon government’s policies toward Korean reunification and the integration of North Koreans into South Korean society.

North Korean Defectors’ Day was first celebrated on July 14, 2024. The central event was a cultural festival primarily attended by North Korean defectors, though some South Koreans attended as well. The festival included musical performances, panel discussions, an exhibition about life in North Korea, and a fair where entrepreneurs sold clothing, food, drinks, and other items.

It should be noted that North Korean Defectors’ Day received some criticism. While the government saw it as an opportunity to help North Korean defectors integrate into South Korean society, some analysts noted that it could have the opposite effect, reminding North Koreans that some South Koreans view them as outsiders.