303 North Koreans defect to South this year

The Ministry of Unification said Thursday that a total of 303 North Koreans fled to South Korea this year, the first time over 300 escapees from North Korea had come to South Korea.

By occupation, the escapees were: 136 loggers, laborers and farm hands; three military men; 21 overseas company expatriates; diplomats and guidance personnel; 13 Communist party members, state affairs personnel and teachers; and 100 students, unemployed people and others.

The Unification Ministry said the number of escapees entering South Korean universities was increasing every year, with 23 in 1998, 25 in 1999 and 31 in 2000.

¡°The ministry is currently reviewing the measure to assist with the education fees up to graduate school level of outstanding students from North Korea,¡± an official said.