• Korea and Global Affairs
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.85-108
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• 2017

This study speculated on a continuous issue of North Korean defectors and strategies to improve North Korean human rights. North Korean defectors have immigrated to South Korea continuously since the late 1990s. Their immigration was motivated by low financial status in the harsh marching period of North Korea until the mid-1990s. However, the defection motives changed like this: planned defection, family-based group defection and future-oriented defection. The North Korean defectors had had severe human rights abuses as illegal immigrants in the blind spots of human rights of China and the third nations until they were admitted to South Korea after defection. Although South Korea tried to help them consistently both in public and private ways, it was not satisfactory. Therefore, the government and private sectors should pay more consistent attention to the human rights issue. As the National Assembly passed the North Korean Human Rights Act on March 2016, the government should recognize the issue of North Korean defectors as that of universal value and a national issue, and cooperate each other nationally and internationally in diverse ways.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.117-196
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• 2000

The purpose of the study was to provide ground information to develop social adjustment programs for North Korean residents who might migrate into South Korea when free transmigration is allowed in the process of reunification. For this purpose, two research methods were employed. First, depth interviews for 10 North Korean defectors were used to find out their social adjustment realities and problems. In addition, empirical survey research was carried out with 397 subjects to identify South Koreans'altitude toward North Korean defectors and the willingness to support them financially and emotionally. North Korean defectors's social adjustment problems were approached based on lifestyle. The depth interviews revealed that difficulties the defectors had experienced at first were mainly in the aspect of consumption caused by lack of understanding about capitalism. However, they could overcome difficulties and assimilate their ways of living to those of South Koreans soon. Other adjustment problems in family living and child rearing especially related with values had more complicated issues. Results of the empirical survey showed that South Koreans' level of interest in defecters was moderate but they thought them rather positively, sympathetically. Concerning supports, South Koreans were agreeing with governmental support more with emotional support than financial support by individuals. In conclusion, present formal education programs provided to defectors were not effective enough for them to team South Korean living culture. To learn by living with interactions with South Koreans was one of the best policies to help defectors' adaptation. Findings that South Koreans were willing to help them emotionally matched and balanced with defectors' needs.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.124-131
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• 2013

South Korea is changing into a multi-cultural society, due to an increase in international marriage, foreign workers and transcultural immigration. In addition, the number of North Korean defectors entering South Korea has increased and now, there are approximately 25000. Therefore, this review have focused on a research that pertains to adaptation and mental health concerns of their children. Children who have immigrated themselves or whose parents have immigrated, might experience language barriers, difficulties in school adjustment, identity confusion and mental health problems. However, their academic performance and developmental status are known to be variable and be affected by socioeconomic status and their parents' educational level. Studies that evaluated the psychological problems of North Korean adolescent refugees' indicated the need for interests in both emotional and behavioral problems. The risk factors of North Korean adolescent refugees' mental health are suggested to be past traumatic experiences, long duration of defection and short period of adaptation. When mental health professionals provide assessment and treatment, they should consider the pre- and post-migration experiences & cultural background that affect the illness behaviors and attitudes toward mental illnesses. Lastly, the majority of children with multi-cultural background are still under an adolescent period and we should follow up with long-term perspectives.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.136-141
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• 2010

North Korean defectors who settle in South Korea have experienced severe food shortage and transition of food environment which could affect their health status. However, little is known about their anthropometric measurements and dietary intake after settlement in South Korea. The purpose of this study is to compare anthropometric measurements and dietary intake between North Korean young adults who defected to South Korea and those of South Koreans. We hypothesized that North Korean young adults' physiques and dietary intake would be poorer than that of South Koreans. We compared anthropometric measurements and dietary intake from 3-day food records in a cross-sectional study of 103 North Korean young adult defectors, aged 12 to 24 and 309 South Korean subjects. North Korean subjects were significantly shorter (4.9 to 10.8 cm) and lighter (6.0 to 12.5 kg) than the control group. Body mass index were significantly different between North and South Korean groups only in men. North Korean young adult defectors had lower mean daily intakes of energy and most nutrients and food groups compared to the control group, while North Korean subjects had higher nutrient density diet than that of South Koreans. The proportion of subjects who had dietary intakes of nutrients of less than the Estimated Average Requirement was higher in North Korean subjects than in controls except for in the cases of vitamin A and vitamin C. In conclusion, we recommend providing nutrition support programs for North Korean young adult defectors to secure adequate nutrient intake.

• 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.

• 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 Society of School Health
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.73-83
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a comprehensive health promotion program for North Korean young adult defectors in South Korea. Methods: The comprehensive health promotion program consisted of nutrition, mental healthcare, physical activity and sexual behavior was developed on the basis of need assessment results. For the evaluation of the program, 70 North Korean young adults who were attending two alternative schools for North Korean defectors were recruited. The program had taken place once a week for 13 or 19 weeks. Effectiveness of the health promotion program was evaluated using anthropometric measurement, 3-day food records and a questionnaires that comprised the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Short Form with 36 questions (SF-36) and health behaviors. The surveys were proceeded at the beginning and after the program. Results: After health promotion program, participants' height was significantly increased (p=0.004) and body fat mass (0=0.004) and percentage of body fat mass (p=0.003) were significantly decreased. The number of subjects who ate breakfast alone was decreased whereas the number of subjects who ate breakfast with friends was increased (p<0.001). There were no significant changes in dietary intakes, mental health status and quality of life. North Korean young adult defectors' willingness to participate and interests in the health promotion program were high, however the practice rate was low. Conclusion: The health promotion program could induce interests and willingness to participate, but bring about limited effects on the health behaviors. These results imply that a health promotion program for North Korean young adult defectors should have a long-term strategy as well as short-term plan. Furthermore, it should be based on their health problems, health related behaviors, academic performance and daily life matters.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.10
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• pp.385-395
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• 2017

This qualitative research is conducted to explore the balancing experience of work and child care of North Korean female defectors. Five of North Korean female defectors from double income family in their 40's were selected and interviewed. The interview data were analyzed by a phenomenological qualitative method. The five categories were derived from the data and included as follows: , , , , . Based on the results of the research the suggestions for practical services, such as parenting education, career path development programs and policies with gender perspective were made. Limitations of the research and further research recommendations were suggested as well.

• Proceedings of KHEA Conference
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• 2006.10a
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• pp.137-137
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• 2006

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.55-78
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• 2000

The purpose of this project was to provide social adjustment programs for North Korean residents who might migrate into South Korea when free transmigration is allowed in the process of reunification. This study was composed of three parts. First, present social adjustment programs for defectors from North Korea were reviewed. Second, South Koreans attitude toward social adjustment programs for migrated North Koreans in the future was identified based on empirical survey research. Third, the social adjustment programs for migrated North Koreans were discussed from results of the depth interviews which were carried out with 10 North Korean defectors. To support migrated North Koreans' social adjustment in South Korea, this study proposed the first stage village which would have characteristic of group home. Education programs to support social adjustment of migrated North Koreans were developed according to their social adjustment stages. In the middle stage of adjustment model, education programs on living culture in South Korea could be adopted. Education programs related to the various aspects of living culture including consumption, clothing, food, housing, family, child rearing, adolescent education were specified and discussed in detail.