North Korean defector children are 1.3 times more likely to develop psychiatric disorders than their South Korean peers, a new study shows, finding that their experience growing up in a different social and political environment may be increasing their risk of mental health issues.

A research team led by Professor Hong Min-ha from Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong analyzed National Health Insurance Service claims data from 2005 to 2021 for North Korean defector children and adolescents and their South Korean peers.