North Korean defectors are considered citizens of South Korea under the
South Korean Constitution, while others that flee violence gain the legal status of
“refugee.” North Korean defectors, who attempt to escape one of the worst
human rights crises in the world, find themselves in a unique situation. What
benefits does this status have? How are refugees typically treated abroad, such as
in the United States? This Comment will explore this unique status, how it differs
from refugee status in the United States, and the challenges North Korean
defectors face in South Korea.
