• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• no.39
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• pp.29-56
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to find out correlation and predictors of posttraumatic growth of North Korean refugees in South Korea in 7years. This survey was conducted on 105 North Korean refugees in 7 years with questions on depression, anxiety, socio-demographic characteristics, personal & social variables, psychological trauma in North Korea, stress experience in South Korea. The influence of these variables was analysed. Result indicated that education in North Korea and living period in the 3rd country iwas associated with PTG. Date for escaping from North Korea, depression, acculturative stress in South Korea, hope for future, social support from South Korean, perceived satisfaction had correlation with PTG. And Date for escaping from North Korea, living period in the 3rd country, social support from South Korean, acculturative stress in South Korea predicted PTG of North Korean refugees. Finally, social political intervention and mental health service programs for North Korean refugees were discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.285-312
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• 2016

The study examines how stressful life experiences and negative affective conditions influence refugees' information seeking and uses. Fifty-five North Korean refugees living in South Korea were invited to participate in a survey to determine their level of PTSD and to investigate the relationship between activeness in information-seeking and their negative affect. Seven subjects with severe PTSD symptoms participated in an in-depth interview to describe their information practices in daily life contexts. The study found that participants with higher levels of PTSD tended to seek information more passively than those with lower levels of PTSD. Almost all refugees were unable to recognize their information needs clearly but some subjects stated latent socio-affective needs and financial needs. Most refugees avoided seeking information and learned information through interpersonal sources-staffs in the Hana Refugee Center and volunteers in local community churches-and mass media. Some unique social phenomena were discovered in North Korean refugees' information world and the emergent features were discussed. On the basis of the findings, some practical approaches for improving refugees' information world were also suggested.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.70-76
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of North Korean refugees' trust in South Korea health service. Methods: This study surveyed 168 North Korean refugees aged 19 and over living in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon, and Gangwon. The collected data were analyzed by frequency analysis, t-test, analysis of variance, and hierarchical regression analysis to analyze the effect on the trust of refugees. Results: The difference analysis showed statistically significant difference according to duration of residence and employment status. The determinants of North Korean refugees' trust in South Korea health services were duration of residence, basic communication skills, health communication skills, and experience of health service. Conclusion: In order to increase the trust of North Korean defectors in South Korea medical services, it is necessary to resolve communication problems and improve the satisfaction of health services. For this, the interpreter service should be activated. And specific education should be given to the North Korean refugees about the health care system and the utilization methods of health service in Korea.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.373-384
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• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to understand the cognition of the initiation of diseases of North Korean refugees in South Korea. Methods: 9 North Korean refugees hospitalized in Oriental Neuropsychiatry of National Medical Center participated in the interview. The statements were analyzed by using the phenomenological research methodology and Giorgi's analytical method, in particular, was applied. Results: A total of 4 categories and 15 sub categories were derived from the participants' descriptions. North Korean refugees who thought their diseases have begun while living in North Korea coming to South Korea, have fire disease because of the strict social system, limitations imposed on their actions, and the violence of their husbands. And who thought during escaping from North Korea, have anxiety about being killed, found and transferred to North Korea. They also suffered from a sense of guilt towards their family who were left behind as well as from depression. Consequently, they thought their skeletal diseases have begun during this period. Who thought during their period in Korea, their diseases like fire disease and depression have been worsen because of unfamiliar circumstances and doctors who said their problems had been caused by psychiatric disorder. Nevertheless, they did their jobs, felt happy and had a will to be cured thingking possibilities of overcoming diseases. Conclusions: These results suggest that various factors during different periods in the life of North Korean refugees could have an effect on their present diseases.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.93-110
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the adaptation and preference for South Korean food among North Korean refugees. A survey was conducted on 220 North Korean refugees regarding general questions, adaptations, and preference on consuming dishes in South Korea. The results of the survey showed that the average difficulty degree scored with the adaptation to South Korean food was 3.06 points out of 5.00 points. The adaptation to Korean food was investigated as 'average' and some North Korean refugees had some difficulties in South Korean food. Some respondents described South Korean food as having very strong flavor that tastes more sweetened, seasoned, and spicy than North Korean food. The extended residency in South Korea allowed North Korean refugees to become more familiar with sweetened flavors. Most of them enjoy an oily and spicy taste more than South Koreans. North Korean refugees like Ssal bap, Naengmyeon, Doenjang-guk, Galbi-jjim, Bulgogi(beef, pork), Chaesobokkeum, Oi-saengchae, Chaeso-jeon, Baechu-kimchi, Saengsun-twigim, Soondae, pears, fruit juice, and spring water. North Korean refugees over the age of 30 years enjoy classic foods such as Japgokbap, Gimbap, Jumeokbap, Hwedeopbap, and Chobap. On the other hand, North Korean refugees less than 30 years old enjoy new foods like ramen and spaghetti.

• Journal of Legislation Research
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• no.53
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• pp.109-147
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• 2017

North Korean defectors had left North Korea often to escape from food shortages in the mid-1990s. Since the 2000s, the reasons of their flee from North Korea have more resulted from their exposure to external information, and a desire for democracy and freedom. However, North Korean defectors living in China are not recognized as refugees and thus subject to various human rights violations including forced repatriation. It needs to be thought that wether North Korean defectors who escape from North Korea are political refugees under international law. If they are not recognized as refugees in their new countries, it is imperative to consider a possible way to protect their human rights under international law. The problem of recognition of the refugee status of a person is a matter of involving the sovereignty of individual countries, however, the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees should provide protection of their unique rights, as recognizes by the UNHCR, and their status should be treated as a refugees issue in a broad sense. In the future, it is a necessary to establish international solidarity among individual countries, the UN General Assembly, the decisions of the Human Rights Council and support of UNHCR, to anticipate the need for the refugee recognition and the protection of International Human Rights in preparation for possible mass defections and refugees from North Korea.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.166-176
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and prevention attitudes of female North Korean refugees regarding cervical cancer and human papillomavirus(HPV) infection. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted. Data were collected from November 2015 to March 2016 and 130 female North Korean refugees participated. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0. Results: Score on knowledge and prevention attitudes regarding cervical cancer and HPV were 2.53 out of 8 points, 1.67 out of 17 points, and 28.90 out of 36 points. There were significant differences between entry duration, the number of children, previous cervical cancer tests, Precognition about HPV, preferred education method, and knowledge of cervical cancer. There were significant differences between previous cervical cancer tests, Precognition about HPV and knowledge of HPV. The correlation between knowledge and prevention attitudes regarding cervical cancer and HPV was significant positive. Conclusion: Female North Korean refugees' knowledge level of cervical cancer and HPV is very low. However, their attitudes towards prevention was higher. These results imply a need for education, aimed at guiding North Korean female refugees, so as to enhance their knowledge regarding cervical cancer and HPV, and to promote their sexual health.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.89-111
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• 2012

Since the U.S. government officially accepted North Korean(NK) as refugees starting in 2006, about 120 North Koreans have come to and been living in the United States. However, little is known in regard to what the North Korean refugees need for a qualify life. This study aims to explore the essential experiences of North Korean defectors who have settled in the United States after escaping North Korea. Research inquiries are why North Korean refugees have chosen the United States for their settlement, and how they are living in the United States. Data were collected from in-depth interviews with eight NK refugees. For data analysis, grounded theory approach by Strauss and Corbin(1998) was employed. The data analysis identified the central phenomenon, protective and risk factors, and core actions and consequences of NK refugees' adjustment in the U.S. The central phenomenon was "voluntary choose to come to the U.S." The core action and consequences in the process of their adjustment were 'searching for the meaning of life,' and 'achieving acculturation.' The findings may provide deeper understanding on the situation of North Korean refugees in the U.S. and implications for how to help them adjust well in the society.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.81-106
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to find out correlation and predictors of recovery predictive factors for North Korean refugees experienced torture in South Korea. This survey was conducted on 205 North Korean refugees with questions on socio-demographic variables, mental health & personality variables, and social & economical variables. The influence of these variables was analysed. Result indicated that sex, age, disease, child living in the North, marriage experience in the North and the China were associated with post-traumatic stress of torture. Also, depression, rumination, self-efficacy, resilience, secure-attachment, social support from the South, economic difficulties predicted the recovery for North Korean refugees with torture experience. Finally, clinical intervention with healing relationship and human rights for North Korean refugees were discussed.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.14 no.1_spc
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• pp.487-518
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• 2008

The study identifies the major themes for integration education program which enhances the relationship between the north Korean refugees and their south Korean hosts. The themes were selected based on qualitative analysis of the socio-cultural conflicts experienced by the refugees and the hosts in the acculturation process. Twenty-eight north Korean refugees over age 20 participated in semi-structured interviews, and two south Korean groups in close contact with the refugees, police and volunteer teachers, were interviewed in focus groups. The interviews were recorded and transcribed for categorization and coding. The study views the acculturation issue as the two-sided integration task for both the north Korean refugees and the south Korean hosts rather than as the one-sided acceptance and assimilation task for the refugees.