North Korean Defectors Protest Change in Legal Term

On November 12, 2026, a group of North Korean defectors gathered in Seoul to protest a proposed legal revision that aims to change the terminology used to refer to them. The suggested term, 'North Korean-born citizens,' has been met with strong opposition from the defectors, who argue that it negates their identity as individuals who fled the oppressive North Korean regime.

The protest was organized in response to a parliamentary committee's proposal to adopt the new term, which the South Korean Unification Ministry claims would help eliminate the negative connotations associated with the current term, 'North Korean defectors.' However, many defectors feel that their experiences of fleeing North Korea are integral to their identity.

A prominent member of the defectors' group stated, 'We are people who fled North Korea due to our hatred for the Kim regime, and defection is our identity.' The protesters held signs reading, 'North Korean-born citizens, No! North Korean defectors, Yes!' and called for the resignation of Unification Minister Chung Dong-young over the proposed terminology change.

The Unification Ministry has indicated that it plans to gradually adopt the new term in official documents and communications, which has further fueled the discontent among defectors. This ongoing debate highlights the complexities surrounding identity and representation for North Korean defectors in South Korea.