A combination of coronavirus border closures and an unprecedented pressure campaign by a South Korean government keen to engage with North Korea may destroy networks defectors have long used to start new lives, activist groups say.
South Korea's Unification Ministry said last month it will "inspect" 25 defector-run nongovernmental organizations, citing their failure to file necessary documents, and check if 64 others are following conditions to stay registered.
The sweeping probe comes as South Korean President Moon Jae-in's administration strives to restart dialogue and economic projects with Pyongyang, which is under strict international embargoes due to its nuclear weapons program.