• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.683-689
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• 2017

Given that the ratio of adolescents among North Korean refugees is increasing, it is the right time to study the present situation of juvenile North Korean defectors. North Korean adolescents tend to find themselves in an uncomfortable situation as they experience unfamiliar lives in South Korea, and act passively in various situations. A proper resolution of such problems in this situation will help them adapt smoothly to South Korean society. This study investigates the relationship between social support, self-esteem, and problem-solving abilities of North Korean adolescent refugees based on a survey on 213 North Korean teens which was performed for 24 days beginning on June 14 2017. The study results show that emotional, material, informational, and evaluative support for North Korean adolescent defectors, which is a type of social support, had a positive effect on their self-esteem, and self-esteem in turn had a positive effect on their problem solving ability. In addition, self-esteem had a mediating effect on the relationship between the four types of social support and problem solving ability of North Korean adolescent defectors. This study suggested a practical plan to improve the problem solving ability of North Korean adolescent defectors for their smooth adaptation to South Korean society, through social support and improved self-esteem of North Korean adolescents, such as program development or self - development training.

• Journal of Internet of Things and Convergence
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.73-86
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• 2020

This study examines the North Korean defectors' economic and psychological adjustment status in South Korean society focusing on the specificity of North Korean defectors with the social integration perspective. We conducted a questionnaire survey of 225 North Korean defectors in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do and conducted analysis using the SPSS 22.0 program. The results of the study are as follows. First, the economic adaptation of North Korean defectors was evaluated to be generally low. Second, North Korean refugees' psychological and social adjustment status is generally lower than average, especially cultural adaptation stress, friendship, and satisfaction with physical and mental health. Third, the psychological and cultural adaptation strategy and social support of defectors affected the life satisfaction positively and the adaptation stress had significant negative impact on life satisfaction. Therefore, strategies which reducing adaptive stress and enhancing psychological and cultural adaptation strategies are needed to be implemented in South Korean society. Based on results, policy alternatives were discussed.

• Journal of Family Relations
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.47-72
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• 2016

According to the survey by the Ministry of Unification, 28,133 live in South Korea as of september 2015 and the number has been steadily increased. It is interesting to note that the majority of defectors were women. Statistics say that the total of women defectors was 1,138 in 2002 and consisted of 55.5%. But the number increased to 2,706 in 2011 and consisted of 70.5%(Wikipedia, 2015). Most of them have trauma, because they experienced terrible events like prostitution, sexual abuse, domestic violence, etc. while they were living in South Korea. They had to get over a lot of challenges they never expected. They had to do whatever they need to do for their survival in South Korea as well as in North Korea. Objectives: This study focuses on identifying the psychosocial resources available for them in order to help them out living here. Method: For this purpose, this study conducted unstructured in-depth interviews with four women defectors from North Korea. Their age bracket is between the ages of 50 and 58 and they have stayed over five years in South Korea. They were recommended by social welfare workers, who had dealt with them over 20 years. For the reliability of this study, the three methods were performed such as three-month close relationship, three-person triangular verification, and diversification of resources-the field notes and observation notes. Results: As a result of this study, the resources may be labeled into three main clusters of themes such as 1) Self-Preservation - 'Self-Love', 'Family-Attachment', 'Share the Goods', 'Live in Harmony', 'Avoidance of conflict'; 2) Self-Conquest - 'Endurance', 'Earnestness and Effort', 'My own Activities', 'Chat', 'Put Down', 'Appreciation and Optimism'; 3) Self-Presence Awareness - 'I was a Precious Daughter', 'I am Mother'. Also there are thirteen sub categories to be considered. Conclusions: This study focuses on identifying how women defectors have used or can use the psychosocial resources available for them, rather than what they have struggled with. It is meaningful to identify in a positive light that this study provides how they have adjusted to a totally different context for their survival and what psychosocial resources they have used. This study can give an idea about how they may receive proper and practical help from the government programs in order to become better used to new living circumstances in South Korea. As well, this study can provide meaningful criteria and guidance with family life educators for women defectors and social workers working in counseling and social welfare areas. This study contributes to better understanding about how they are using these psychosocial resources.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2019

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the satisfaction levels and mental health among North Korean defectors over two years. Methods : At the beginning of the study, the subjects were comprised of 300 North Korean defectors registered with a regional adaptation center (the Hana Center) in South Korea. Participants reported self-questionnaires including socio-demographic variables and self-rating scales for satisfaction levels, depression symptoms, trauma-related symptoms, resilience and alcohol use behavior. In the follow up study after two years, 189 North Korean defectors participated in an online survey, responding to the same questionnaires as at baseline. Results : The self-rated scores for satisfaction with one's overall life (p=0.008), sense of autonomy (p=0.001), sense of physical health (p<0.001), and expected life satisfaction five years later (p<0.001) had all decreased significantly at follow-up after two years. Depression symptoms (p<0.01) and trauma-related symptoms (p<0.001) increased significantly over two years, and the resilience score (p<0.01) decreased significantly during the same period. No significant differences in alcohol use behavior (p=0.059) were observed at follow-up. Conclusion : Satisfaction levels among North Korean defectors gradually decreased over the follow-up period, and this may be due to the difficulties encountered in the process of assimilating to daily life in South Korea. Economic, medical, and psychological support is needed for successful assimilation of North Korean defectors.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.295-305
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• 2021

This paper attempted to explore the basic concept of a website for start-up supports angled towards North Korean defector entrepreneurs. The position of this study was made clear by reviewing the existing literature, and the case study was carried out to make sure the results are essential to create the services vital for the North Korean defector's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Focusing on the fact that there is not yet a website for supporting North Korean defectors' start-up in Korea, an early version named "Prometheus" was designed. A revised version called "Pathfinder" followed with improvements. This study conducted academic and practical experiments by directly designing and implementing a medium that can boost the development of the start-up ecosystem of North Korean defectors based on the insights provided by North Korean (future)business owners and South Koreans interested in the start-up ecosystem of North Korean defectors. Taking this study as an opportunity both the research to further clarify the "start-up of North Korean defectors," a very special phenomenon that exist in Korea, and the research for practical contribution should be encouraged in various ways. These efforts will not only help North Korean defectors start-up businesses, and also play a role in boosting a sense of coexistence and cooperation within North Korean defectors community.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.507-528
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• 2009

Coping and defense are similar psychological mechanisms to reduce stress response, but they are regarded as distinct from each other. Defense involved distortions of reality, but coping was used for strategies associated with accepting the true nature of the situation. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the coping and defense features of the North Korean Defectors in the Rorschach test. The subjects were then categorized into four groups based on their birth place and gender: Male North Korean defectors( N=16), female North Korean defectors(N=28), male South Koreans(N=17), and female South Koreans(N=25). All subjects were individually administered the Rorschach test, and protocols were scored according to the Exner(2003)'s Rorschach Comprehensive systems. Coping or defense-related Rorschach variables were selected for analysis: EA, CDI, Adj D, EB style, Lamda, Zd, X-%, Xu%, W:Dd:D, P, reaction time, and other behavior characteristics during the testing. Compared with other groups, female North Korean defectors were more likely to show poor coping resources(low EA), adjustment difficulties(Adj D), and distortions of reality(high X-%). They also demonstrated more 'don't know' responses and more delayed responses than other groups. These findings suggest that poor coping resources make female North Korean defectors more vulnerable to stress, and psychological intervention such as social skills training may help them settle successfully in south Korea. Limitations of the current study and implications for future research were discussed.

• 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.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.310-321
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the interpersonal caring program for young North Korean defectors which we developed based on Kim's interpersonal caring technique. Methods: This study employs a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The subjects of this study are 36 young North Korean defectors living in three areas. The participants are recruited through alternative schools, churches, and acquaintances. The experimental group consists of 20 participants and the control group consists of 16 participants. Experiments are conducted by four days. Specifically, the experiments are conducted eight times and each takes about 120 minutes. Furthermore, we run the camp for two nights and three days. We test our hypothesis by using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Independent t-test, Paired t-test, and Independent t-test. Results: All the test statistics support our hypotheses such as self-esteem (t=1.87, p=.035), mental health (t=-1.69, p=.049), interpersonal relationships (t=1.93, p=.031), and quality of life (t=1.88, p=.034). Conclusion: We found that the interpersonal caring program developed in this study is effective in improving North Korean defectors' self-esteem, mental health, interpersonal relationships, and quality of life.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.1-17
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to understand North Korean female defectors' experiences in China. 13 female defectors were interviewed. Before they extricated from North Korea, they expected to make money to survive with their family in North Korea. But it couldn't be done because they didn't have legal status in China. They were at the risk of exposing to traffickers in females and of repatriation to North Korea. Surviving in China, they realized they were “Chosun(North Korean) females”; it meant they were in extremely poor and were sold by traffickers. It made them put to shame and be hurt their pride as a Chosun national identity. On the other hand, they realized they had narrow experiences and a limited outlook on international issues. They made themselves accustomed to freedom from the Chinese Revolution ; some of them experienced achievement. In general, they were satisfied with physical needs, but lacks of safety and worth in life. Even though, they couldn't return to North Korea because they were afraid of being punished by their government, and of striking their family a fatal blow in their successful lives of the society.