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N.K. defector arrivals fall to 7-year low

Oct. 28, 2012 - 20:17 By Korea Herald
The number of North Koreans defecting to the South is expected to be the lowest in seven years, the Unification Ministry said Sunday

The number reached 1,086 until the end of September and is expected to stand around 1,440 for the whole year. It would be the first time since 2006 that the number is below 2,000.

The ministry attributed the decrease to the North’s tightened border security as it seeks to stabilize the new government under Kim Jong-un and China seeks to avoid international criticism for repatriating North Korean refugees.

(596story@heraldcorp.com)