North Korea

Geographic proximity and shared political history largely dictate who relocates to North Korea. Nearly thirty thousand people originate from neighboring China, while a few thousand come from South Korea due to intertwined cultural roots and the legacy of the divided peninsula. Smaller groups from distant nations like the Philippines and Brazil also reside there, often connected to specialized diplomatic missions or limited trade partnerships.

Over the past few decades, this migration landscape has remained tightly controlled and relatively isolated. The collapse of the Soviet Union in the early nineties deepened the state's economic reliance on Beijing, cementing China as the primary source of cross-border movement. Meanwhile, tightening international sanctions and strict border policies have prevented any major global influx, keeping the overall foreign-born population exceptionally small.

Historical legacies and state-sponsored labor agreements largely dictate where North Koreans emigrate. Over twenty thousand reside in Japan due to deep colonial-era ties and organizations that maintain allegiance to Pyongyang. Thousands of others are dispersed across China, South America, and Africa, driven by a complex mix of cross-border flight, historical diaspora, and government-mandated overseas work programs.

This migration landscape has shifted dramatically in response to international geopolitics and tightening global sanctions. Russia was once a primary destination for thousands of state-deployed laborers, but this population collapsed recently as global resolutions forced host countries to repatriate North Korean workers. In contrast, the footprint in China has steadily grown alongside deepening economic reliance, while smaller labor deployments have pivoted toward friendly nations in Africa.