Incoming defectors number 205 this year

The Unification Ministry disclosed that the number of North Korean defectors who reached the South this year stood at 205 as of Oct. 12, an increase of 57 from the 148 registered for the same period in 1999.

A total of 1,299 defectors have reached the South thus far. Of them, 185 died and 33 emigrated, with the remaining 1,081 resettled here. The occupations of 188 escapees who had entered the South by the end of September were: lumberjacks, laborers and farmhands (91); soldiers (3); diplomats, foreign trade employees and officials (15); party cadres and teachers (7); students and others (72).

According to ministry sources, most of the recent defectors came with their families. The government is expanding programs to give female defectors vocational training and assist in their social adaptation, they said. In July, cooking and dressmaking classes were set up at Hanawon, where Northern defectors are housed and trained.