43 13 years 2 0.8 14 years 3 1.2 Sum 247 99.6 No answer 1 0.4 Total 248 100.0 Moreover, as can be seen in the distribution with regard to the length of sojourn in China and other third countries in <Table 3-9> above, within a length of 10 years the weight is evenly distributed across categories (with the exception of the category ‘less than 1 year’ which makes up a fifth of the total sample). This provides a meaningful statistical value for grasping, in the middle and long term, the changing human rights reality during the time of settlement in China and other third countries. (4) Study of North Korean refugee women’s situation abroad The research team went on a research excursion from the 10th of August 2009 until the 14th of August 2009 (5 days) to study on-site the situation of North Korean refugee women living in China. From the excursion bases in Yanji, Tumen City, and Longjing, on-site research was carried out at (1) the North Korean-Chinese border city of Tumen, (2) Musan and Hoeryeong City at the North Korean-Chinese border, and (3) in the marsh-land village of Yueqingzhen in the North Korean-Chinese border area. These sites are known as the places where river and border-crossings of North Koreans have most frequently taken place from the mid-1990s until now. Through the on-site studies, the research team had the important opportunity to develop a direct sense of the difficulties of flight from North Korea, the psychological state of intimidation that refugees might face at these sites, etc. On the other hand, the research team engaged in round-table talks and dialogues with scholars and experts in the field, with an entrepreneur who frequently visits North Korea, with a hospital employee who has experience in providing medical treatment and surgeries for North Korean refugees, etc.