A Case Study of Forced Marriage: North Korean Migrants in China

• In Event: Cross-National Perspectives on Human Trafficking, Forced Marriage, and Women’s Prison Experiences

Abstract

This paper examines forced marriages between female North Korean Migrants in China (NKMC) and ethnic Chinese or Korean-Chinese men residing in the border area of China. Based on face-to-face interviews with 40 female NKMC currently living in South Korea, this paper explores why and how female NKMC are trafficked and become forced marriage victims. It also examines how female NKMC are subjected to confinement, threat, and violence after they are forced to marry against their will. Findings from this paper will shed light on the contributing factors of NKMC’s forced marriage victimization and possible policy implication.

Author

• Hyoungah Park, Rutgers University