Post-war_migration Koreans_in_Vietnam

north korean defectors pass through vietnam on way south korea.

before 2004, thousands of north korean defectors had crossed vietnam s northern border find way reach south korea. until 2004, vietnam described preferred southeast asian escape route north korean defectors, largely due less-mountainous terrain. though vietnam remains officially communist country , maintains diplomatic relations north korea, growing south korean investment in vietnam has prompted hanoi quietly permit transit of north korean refugees seoul. increased south korean presence in country proved magnet defectors; 4 of biggest defector safehouses in vietnam run south korean expatriates, , many defectors indicated chose try cross border china vietnam precisely because had heard such safehouses. in july 2004, 468 north korean refugees airlifted south korea in single largest mass defection; vietnam tried keep role in airlift secret, , in advance of deal, anonymous sources in south korean government tell reporters defectors came unidentified asian country . following airlift, vietnam tighten border controls , deport several safe-house operators.