'North Korean girls escape to slavery'

from asia times online.......

"North Koreans have increasingly been crossing into the northern border cities of China, with women outnumbering men. "Women represent about 70% of some 200,000 North Koreans who fled from North Korea into China in the past few years," Kim Tae-jin, a North Korean defector who leads a non-government organization to protect the human rights of fellow North Koreans tells Inter Press Service. 

North Korean men are less tempted to cross the border because, with little local connections in China, they are easily tipped off for arrest by security guards and subsequently sent back to North Korea, Kim explains. "Besides, North Korean men could hardly compete with the Chinese for the few jobs available."

In contrast, young North Korean women are sold as brides to Chinese farmers in northern border villages, while older ones take menial jobs working in restaurants or karaoke rooms. "We estimate about 80% of North Korean women who fled the North are sold as brides to Chinese men," Kim says.

"Once in China, fear of being sent back to North Korea grips them, keeping them silent and obedient no matter how abusively they are treated," Kim adds"..............READ MORE