Definition of Post-war Abductees

The term “Post-war Abductees” refers to Republic of Korea nationals (South Koreans) who were forcibly kidnapped by North Korea into the region north of the Military Demarcation Line. Post-war Abductees are largely divided into those who were kidnapped by North Korea during the Korea War and those who were kidnapped by the North after the signing of the Military Armistice Agreement on 27 July 1953. Members of the former group are called “abductees during the Korean War” while those of the latter group are referred to as “abductees after the Military Armistice Agreement.”

Definition of wartime abductees

The term “wartime abductees” refers to South Korean civilians who were kidnapped to North Korea during the Korean War and who are either deceased or still detained in North Korea. North Korea still detains a number of South Korean politicians, scholars, religious leaders, artists, engineers, etc. whom they forcibly kidnapped. Though the number of wartime abductees during the Korean War varies depending on the period surveyed or the surveying entities, it is estimated at roughly 100,000 persons according to a roster of abductees published by a previous administration.