Defectors From North Top 10,000 Since 2007

South Korea's Unification Ministry says there has been a surge in defectors from the North in recent years, the Guardian (U.K.) reports.

Over the last three years, about 10,000 have fled from North Korea, roughly equal to the total for the previous half-century, said Unification Minister Hyun In-taek.

The number has risen each year since 2007, he said.

Almost all North Korean defectors travel via China due to the heavily fortified border between the North and South.