The number of North Korean defectors who left the reclusive state this year reached 749, marking a 22 percent increase on-year, the Unification Ministry said Thursday.

This is the first significant rise in the number of the defectors since North Korean leader Kim Jong-un took helm at the end of 2011, the ministry added.

The number had declined in recent years, from 2,706 in 2011 to 1,502 in 2012, 1,514 in 2013, 1,397 in 2014 and 1,276 last year.

Observers have said that the decline witnessed in the past several years was due to an improvement in the North Korean economy, as well as reinforced measures such as stronger punishments by the regime to deter defection.

The ministry said at the current rate, the number of the defectors is expected to reach 1,500 by the end of this year.

The South Korean government has said that the recent rise in the number of defectors is attributable to the strong sanctions slapped on the reclusive regime upon its fourth nuclear and long-range missile tests earlier this year.

They have pointed to the increasing defections by North Korean workers sent overseas. A total of 13 workers from a North Korean restaurant in China entered the South on April 7. Another group of three North Korean restaurant workers in China defected and came here last month. The latest defection has also caused controversy upon the North’s claim that the defectors had actually been “abducted,” followed by demands by progressive groups here to clarify the allegation.

The ministry added that the total number of North Korean defectors settled in the South was on track to exceed 30,000 by October. The number currently stands at 29,543 as of the end of June.

Defectors who enter the South receive education and support to settle into the life here at Hanawon, operated by the Unification Ministry.

The ministry said it plans to hold an event celebrating the 17th anniversary of the organization on Friday.

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koreaherald@heraldcorp.com