• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1338-1346
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• 1998

North Korea has been experiencing a serious food shortage. However, the extent and magnitude of malnutrition and health problems are virturally unknown because a nationwide food and nutritional survey has never been conducted. To get a better udnerstanding of the situation., an exhaustive literature search on the health and nutritiona conditions of North Koreans was performed. We also obtained anthropometric data on 274 North Korean Defectors who are recently resettlers in the South. Some(137) measurements were taken at the time of entry to the South, and the remaining data was from the health and nutrition mail survey conducted by us on North Korean refugeee re-settlers. Health and inutritional status of North Koreans was found to be less than desirable as shown in high infant mortality rates, high mortality and morbidity rates of malnutriton-related infectious deseases, and smaller body sizes. Striking differences were noted in all of the above health and nutrition indicators between north and South Koreans. Considering the fact that North and South Koreans are homogeneous in their genetic back-ground, ours study results clearly demonstrate that the health and nutrition of North Koreas has deteriorated with the dhronic food shortage, which might have sorsened with a recent food crissi. The smaller and thinner adult stature proevailing in North Korea could play a significant negative role in the country's economy, since lower lean body mass has been associated with reduced work productivity that could hinder economic growth and development.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.185-196
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was undertaken by the department of Korean neuropsychiatry, to evaluate the effects of M&L psychotherapy and Korean Medical Treatments on hospitalized North Korean defectors.Methods: We treated two patients with indigenous Korean medical therapies (acupuncture and herb-medicine) and M&L psychotherapy. Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Mini-mental state examination Korean Version (MMSE-K), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the patients.Results: Following observations were made after treatments. Case 1: the patient had significant improvement in Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Case 2: similar improvements were observed. Here, the patient had undergone Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Mini-mental state examination Korean Version (MMSE-K), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). In addition, noticeable improvement was observed in other accompanying symptoms.Conclusions: These results suggest that M&L Psychotherapy and Korean medical treatments might be effective for treating the psychiatric and physical symptoms of hospitalized North Korean Defectors.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.157-168
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• 2015

This study examined positive and negative marital factors on social adaptation to South Korea among North Korean refugees. In terms of previous studies, family variables play an important role in the adaptation to new society among refugees. We analyzed three major marital factors of marriage background, dyadic adjustment, and marital violence. Marital factors consisted of place of birth, place of marriage, dyadic consensus, dyadic satisfaction, dyadic cohesion, emotional violence, physical violence, and sexual violence. We analyzed the data of 295 North Korean refugees who resided in Seoul, Gyeonggi province and Incheon using snowballing sampling. The result indicated that the refugees married to non-Korean partners (including Korean-Chinese, Chinese, or Russian) are more likely to suffer in social adaptation. Place of marriage (whether the couple got married before escaping, during the escape or after living in South Korea) did not have a significant impact. Dyadic satisfaction was helpful in social adaptation, while sexual violence had a negative effect. The findings of this study suggest alternatives for more successful social adaptation by North Korean refugees to South Korea, a need for more services that target married couples and families rather than individuals, and suggestions for the use of counselors who are also North Korean refugees.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.341-351
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim this study was to identify the factors that influence the social adjustment of North Korean defectors. The participants were 156 North Korean defectors over 20 years old residing in G and C cites. Methods: The data were collected from August 1 to October 31, 2014, and analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 21.0 program with one-way ANOVA, t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple stepwise regression. Results: The general characteristics, such as family, health status, and job, had a significant influence on social adjustment. The level of depression and anxiety was less than moderate and the levels of self-esteem, hope, and social adjustment were moderate. The correlations among depression, anxiety, self-esteem, hope, and social adjustment were significant. These variables showed an explanation rate 28% and self-esteem (${\beta}=.17$), depression (${\beta}=-.15$), anxiety (${\beta}=-.15$), hope (${\beta}=.14$), job (temporary)(${\beta}=-.10$), health status (bad)(${\beta}=-.07$), job (no)(${\beta}=-.04$) were statistically significant among the variables that influenced social adjustment. Conclusion: A program of nursing intervention is needed to care for the mental and physical health problems as well as social education to reduce the negative perception of North Korean defectors.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.310-321
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• 2012

This study was conducted to establish collaborative governance for North Korean Refugees' settlement support service. Three major actors were identified. At the central government level, there is no control center to coordinate various functions. This study suggested three roles for central government in collborative governance, which are policy planning based on public value, allocating financial resources to implementing organizations, and program evaluation for securing public accountability. The rloes of local government are establishing communication channels between implementing participants, maintenancing good relations, and coordination. Finally, the role of private actors is developing high quality service programs, connecting local resources for settlement service.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.17-36
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• 2016

Objective: Taking note of the fact that North Korean refugee children experience frequent separation from their mothers and long-term maternal deprivation during their childhood, this study examined the relationship between children's separation experiences and attachment. Methods: A total of 37 children aged from 5 to 9 were assessed on their attachment using the Separation Anxiety Test, and their mothers reported on their child's separation experiences. Results and Conclusion: The major findings of this study were as follows: first, the result of evaluating their attachment pattern showed North Korean refugee children had a high level of insecure attachment with a high tendency for avoidant attachment. This avoidant attachment tendency is probably due to growing up in a repressed emotional environment by frequently experiencing maternal separation in North Korea, China, and even after settling down in South Korea. Second, children's secure attachment level was higher if they did not experience separation from their mother, if their mother had a high level of education in South Korea, or if they lived with a big family.

• Korean Journal of Childcare and Education
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.41-69
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to promote the use of cultural facilities of North Korean refugee mothers with young children by finding out their past experience of cultural facility use. The subjects of this study were 183 North Korean refugee mothers with young children and a total of four research participants. A survey and in-depth interviews were used to draw reliable research results. The research results are as follows: First, as to uses of cultural facilities, North Korean refugee mothers with young children got information about cultural facilities through the Internet community such as Internet cafes and blogs. Their considerations for using cultural facilities were diversity of activity programs and subdivision of performances and arts activities. Over 50% of mothers responded that cultural facilities were needed to enhance the creativity of their children. Second, concerning difficulties of cultural facility use, the most difficulty was high costs, and the second most difficulty was absence of cultural facilities nearby their residence. Third, as to the needs of cultural facility use, a children's library was needed the most for children's development. They responded that the most necessary policy for cultural facility use was to increase cultural vouchers for low-income households and to expand recipients of these vouchers.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.213-221
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• 2010

The number of North Korean refugees entering South Korea is continuously increasing. North Korean speakers show significant differences in vowel and consonant phonetics, length of vowels, and the rhythm and intonation of sentences. The object of this research was to examine the effectiveness of a speech intervention program for North Korean refugees using visual feedback through acoustical analysis for intonation. The subjects were three adults with no speech disabilities who had been in South Korea for less than five years. They had not received any prior treatment for inflection change. The program was set in a discourse situation and used Praat to evaluate intonation and provide visual feedback as demonstrating proper intonation changes through pitch contour. The results after intervention are as follows. First, intonation was significantly improved according to a 5-point subjective evaluation scale. Second, the pitch contour was similar to the contour of standard South Korean pronunciation. The subjects were very satisfied with this initial treatment and showed a high level of motivation. In subsequent study, the development of intervention and the comparison of interventions will be needed as well.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.317-330
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• 2018

Objectives: This study explores the characteristics of family migration for North Korean defectors and classifies family migration by examining who initiated the migration and who followed. Method: We analyzed the family migration using detailed stories from fifty-five North Korean defectors who were interviewed between 2005 and 2011. Results: We found that 43 out of 55 cases were family migration and the remaining 12 cases were single person migration. We also found several characteristics typical of migration. First, family migration followed the process of step migration, which indicated a serial migration in numbers. Second, migration relied heavily on informal social networks. Finally, the process of earlier migration by North Koreans was incidental and unexpected; however, unexpectedness has diminished in recent migration. Looking at who initiated the migration, the most common type was 'mother-initiated' cases (14 cases) followed by 'child-initiated' cases (10 cases). The third most common type was 'mother-child accompanied' cases (7 cases). The migration process was various; however the most common type was when a married woman initiated the family migration process. This is most likely because married women have the responsibility to support families in the informal economy of North Korea. According to the range of family migrated, the most common type was 'nuclear-family only' cases (22 cases) followed by 'maternal extended family migration' cases (12 cases). Conclusions: The findings of this study provide information on the family dynamics of North Korean defectors.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.540-547
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• 2000

The present study was conducted to document North Korea's long standing food shortage situation and to evaluate the devastating effects of its recent food crisis on the already poor health and nutritional state of the people in North Korea. We analyzed the mail survey data on food consumption patterns and anthropometry of 109 North Korean defectors, male, aged 20 years and older, who resettled in the South during the period of 1988-1999. The result of our survey data indicated that during 1988-1993 when North Korea's food supply was not yet emerged as a serious problem, food and nutrient intake of North Korean defectors was estimated to be significantly lower that the recommended intake levels for maintenance. Energy and protein intake of subjects who defected further with the recent food crisis. For subjects who defected after 1994, the total and animal food intakes were reduced to 67% and 25%, respectively, of the amounts consumed by those who defected in the period of 1988-1993, and their energy and protein intake was decreased by 27% and 30% to the level of 1,181kcal and 40g. Regardless of the time of defection, the mean height and body weight of defectors was significantly lower than that of South Korean reference men. The prevalence of infectious diseases and malnutrition signs was higher among defectors who resettled in the South after 1994 compared to those who resettled during 1988-1993.