https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/currently-impossible-north-korea-defections-in-freefallContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/currently-impossible-north-korea-defections-in-freefallhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/currently-impossible-north-korea-defections-in-freefall#u100781Mon, 05 Oct 2026 01:16:09 +0000Defections from North Korea have dropped sharply, with experts describing escape as currently impossible. This decline follows a crackdown by leader Kim Jong Un intended to seal the country off from the outside world to preserve his family dynasty. The de facto border with South Korea is now marked by territory that experts say is nearly impossible to exit, contributing to the freefall in the number of escapees reaching South Korea.Why it mattersNorth Korea has historically seen citizens flee to South Korea to escape political oppression and economic hardship. The current sealing of borders su