Answer:
They're kidnapped and sold
Explanation:
According to Jihyun Park: Defector. Refugee. Survivor. Freedom Fighter for North Koreans around 80% of the defectors that escape from north Korea were women.
Since China was located near North Korea, it becomes one of the desired escape route for the people who wanted to fled out from the country. Many smugglers know this, and they lure north Korean Women with the promise of escaping poor economic condition and social Tyranny.
The smugglers promised to help them escape before they kidnapped these women and sold them to the highest bidders. The buyers of these women usually the people who are seeking for brides. They're tortured and abused in their household with very little hope to escape since they held the status as illegal immigrants. They feared that if they seek help to local authority , they will be sent back to north Korea and faced even harsher punishment.
Proof of from the actual text:
<em>" North Korean women are sold multiple times to different men by the same trafficker. The illegal status of North Koreans in China and other Southeast Asian countries increases their vulnerability to trafficking for purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation.”</em>