The Voice of America (VOA) says that more than 60 percent of North Korean refugees live in Britain.

Quoting a study by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the VOA said that 581 North Korean defectors lived in Britain as of the end of last year, accounting for 63 percent of the total 917 refugees.

The broadcaster said that none of the North Korean refugees in Britain seems to have obtained permanent residency or citizenship yet as foreigners are allowed to apply for such a status only after legitimately staying in the nation for more than ten years.

The European country granted refugee status for 17 North Korean escapees in 2004 for the first time.

Germany has the second most North Korean refugees at 146, followed by the Netherlands, Australia and the United States.

The data of Germany, the U.S. and Canada exclude those who obtained permanent residency.