[magicsmoke]

Even in a nonauthoritarian country, defecting means you'll never return again to see your friends and family anyways. Given that, defectors probably consider making a political stand more important than their personal connections regardless of what happens after they leave. Not everybody has a loving family and close friends they can't give up.

[jetzzz]

You can't return but what is preventing them to come to your new home. Snowden's girlfriend moved to Russia and I think any of his family members can visit him if they want.

[rjmunro]

> what is preventing them to come to your new home

Maybe the fact that because you defected, they are now in some sort of secret jail or labor camp for the rest of their lives.

[magicsmoke]

I meant that if he was willing to put his family through that much trouble, they probably weren't that close in the first place. In which case, what does or doesn't happen to family left behind isn't a large factor in deciding to defect.

[krylon]

I doubt you can just move out of North Korea, especially if your significant other or close relative has just defected.