The holiday was established in 2024 by South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol to commemorate the twenty-seventh anniversary of the North Korean Defectors Protection and Settlement Support Act, which had been enacted in 1997.
[3][5] North Korean defectors in South Korea face more than double the national rate of unemployment.
[3] The establishment of North Korean Defectors' Day was seen as an opportunity to create a more welcoming environment for North Koreans in the South,[1] although some analysts have criticized the initiative, as it could unintentionally create the opposite effect by reminding North Koreans that they are considered "outsiders" by society.
[3][6] Defector entrepreneurs also sold goods such as liquor, clothing, North Korean snacks, and dog treats.
[6] Panel discussions by defectors were held, as was an exhibition illustrating life in North Korea.