Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.5762/KAIS.2011.12.11.5027

A Study on Acculturation of North Korean Defectors in South Korea  

Han, Jin-Sook (Department of Nursing, Konyang University)
Publication Information
Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society / v.12, no.11, 2011 , pp. 5027-5033 More about this Journal
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze a qualitative research on the essential structure of the acculturation of North Korean defectors, who settled in South Korea. The participants in this study were nine North Korean defectors who had resided in the city of D, South Korea, for three years or more after defecting from North Korea. After an in-depth interview, collected data were analyzed by applying Colaizzi's phenomenological method. As a result, their acculturation were classified into three categories : 'heterogeneity coming from different cultures', 'undergoing various sufferings after defection', and 'trying to tide over the difficulties in the actuality'. And 11 clusters of theme were selected. It's basically meant in this study to find out problems North Korean Defectors encountered and their process of overcoming the difficulties in an effort to step up the acculturation of the new settlers and ease their difficulties. And it's suggested that adjustment programs should be provided for them to fit into South Korean society.
Keywords
North Korean defectors; Acculturation; Phenomenological study;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 1  (Citation Analysis)
연도 인용수 순위
1 P. E. Colaizzi, "Psychological Research as the Phenomenologist views It. Existential Phenomenological Alternatives for Psychology", Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 48-71, 1978.
2 Y. A. Cho, et al., "A study on the role and the intervention strategies of mental health professionals for North Korean", Unification Policy Studies, Vol. 15(2), pp. 53-78. 2006.
3 I. J. Yoon, "The actual condition and a plan for supporting the North Korean refugees adjustment to South Korean society", Paper presented at the meeting of the Education Center for Unification, Seoul, 2000.
4 Korea Women's Development Institute, "North Refugee family stability and social adjustment of the family and women's roles", Paper presented at the meeting of the Korea Women's Development Institute, Seoul, 2000.
5 Y. S. Yoon, "North Korea defectors in accordance with policy alternatives proliferate", Journal of National Strategies, Vol. 9(1), pp. 65-88, 2003.
6 J. A. Cho, et al., "A study on conflicts in workplace of North Korean refugees", Unification Policy Studies, Vol. 15(2), pp. 29-52, 2006.
7 S. Y. Kim, "Study on settlement status of sateomin(refugee from North Korea) and improvement measures", National Information Center BRICs, Vol. 38, pp. 249-269, 2006.
8 T. O. Eum, "A strategy for mental health for integration of South-North Korean residents. Through comparison among North Korean refugees, low-income residents, and general residents within South Korea", Journal of Korean Unification Studies, Vol. 14(1), pp. 297-323, 2004.
9 I. J. Yoon, "The actual condition for social adjustment and a plan of a support for settlement in North Korean migrants", Asiatic Research Institute, Korea University, Vol. 50(2), pp. 106-182, 2007.
10 K. H. Lee, et al., "Identifying factors affecting the settlement of North Korean Defectors in South Korea", Unification Policy Studies, Vol. 15(2), pp. 1-28, 2006.
11 A. S. Rayan, et al., "Mental health training for southeast asian refugee resettlement workers", International Social Work. Vol. 30, pp. 186, 1987.
12 G. Caplan, "Mastery of stress : psychosocial aspects in America", Journal Psychiatry, Vol. 138, pp. 413-420, 1989.
13 I. J. Yoon, "Social recognition and distances from North Korean refugees: Comparison among the handicapped, foreign workers, and homosexuals, Integration and harmony of North Korean refugees within community", Paper presented at the meeting of the Center for Social Welfare Research Conference, pp. 267-290, Yonsei University, Seoul, 2003.
14 Seoul Newspaper, "A general report on the results of overseas official trip in a consulate for Beijing.Shenyang", Retrieved January 23, 2007, from The Seoul Newspaper. http://www.seoul.co.kr/, January, 2007.
15 Today Korea, "Article of being urgent in a national improvement plan for North Korean refugees settlement", Retrieved July 24, 2009, from http://www.todaykorea.co.kr, July, 2009.
16 J. K. Kim, et al., "A study on acculturation stress and streee-coping amoung North Korean defectors", Korean Journal of Adult Nursing, Vol. 23(1), pp. 50-59, 2011.
17 Ministry of unification. www.unikorea.go.kr, 2011.
18 K. Y. Lee, "Problems and countermeasures against social adjustment in North Korean refugees". Paper presented at the meeting of the Korean Academy of Social Welfare, pp. 267-290, 2005.