Kyoung Mi Kim; Miyoung Kim

doi:10.4040/jkan.2013.43.3.431

Articles

Page Path: HOME > J Korean Acad Nurs > Volume 43(3); 2013 > Article

Original Article
Adaptation Experiences in South Korea of Men defecting from North Korea: Kyoung Mi Kim, Miyoung Kim; Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2013;43(3):431-441.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2013.43.3.431
Published online: June 28, 2013

¹Department of Nursing, Gimcheon University, Gimcheon, Korea.

²Division of Nursing Science, College of Health Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Kim, Miyoung. Division of Nursing Science, College of Health Sciences, Ewha Womans University, 52 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-750, Korea. TEL: +82-2-3277-6694, FAX: +82-2-3277-2850, mykim0808@ewha.ac.kr

• Received: February 22, 2013 • Accepted: May 20, 2013

11 Views
0 Download
1 Scopus

prev next

Full Article

Download PDF

Abstract
NOTES
REFERENCES

Abstract

Purpose
The study was done to explore meanings and essence of the experience in South Korea of men defectors from North Korea.
Methods
Data were collected from March, 2011 to May, 2012, through in-depth interviews with ten men defectors. Data analysis was conducted using the process of hermeneutic phenomenological reflection.
Results
Eight essential themes were extracted; 'buoyant expectation for a new life', 'feeling guilty about family left behind in North Korea', 'inability to become acclimatized due to communication difficulties', 'inability to socialize with South Koreans due to different lifestyles', 'finding strength through trustworthy acquaintances', 'continuing reconciliation with oneself while trying to assimilate into South Korean culture', 'self-realization of one's original self', and 'continuing to feel out the possibility of a future in South Korea'.
Conclusion
The findings indicate that North Korean men who defect to South Korea shape their identity through three phases: forming self-image during escape from North Korea, trying to become accustomed to South Korean society, and finding their own identity by self-realization of their original self. Eventually, the whole process enables them to recover their identity, to feel a sense of belonging, and to discover possibilities for a better future.
Keywords: Adaptation; Experiences; Qualitative research; Refugees

This manuscript is a condensed form of the first author's doctoral dissertation from Ewha Womans University.

REFERENCES

1. Bae HD, Sung JH, Kim YH, Yi HK, Lee JH. A study on the application capability of the North Korean escapees for unification education programs in Daegu area. J North East Asian Stud. 2005;36:207–244.
2. Chae NR. A study on the acculturation and adaptation to South Korea among North Korean defectors. J Soc Work Pract. 2011;10:165–185.
3. Chang HK, Kim YR. A study on family stability and social adjustment of North Korean refugees and women's role. Seoul: Korean Women's Development Institute; 2000.
4. Cho YA, Jeun WT, Yu JJ, Um JS. Predictors of depression among North Korean defectors: A 3 year follow up study. Korean J Couns Psychother. 2005;17(2):467–484.
5. Chung JK, Cho JA. Issues in the integration education for North Korean refugees and South Korean hosts. Korean J Psychol Soc Issues. 2008;14(1):487–518.
6. Chung JK, Yang KM. Recent developments in acculturation theories. Korean J Psychol Gen. 2004;23(1):101–136.
7. Dona G, Berry JW. Acculturation attitudes and acculturative stress of central American refugees. Int J Psychol. 1994;29(1):57–70. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00207599408246532Article
8. Gjerde PF. Culture, power, and experience: Toward a person centered cultural psychology. Hum Dev. 2004;47(3):138–157. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000077987Article PDF
9. Ha YS. A study on the support policy and adaptation of North Korean refugees. Korean J Polit Sci. 2009;17(1):125–141.
10. Hawley DR, DeHaan L. Toward a definition of family resilience: Integrating life span and family perspectives. Fam Process. 1996;35(3):283–298.Article PubMed
11. Jeong CH. Intercultural education in Germany and the problem of the other. Theoru Pract Educ. 2011;16(1):75–102.
12. Jeong KI. The survey of the linguistic adaptation of the defectors from North Korea to South Korea. Sociolinguistic J Korea. 2002;10(1):253–274.
13. KBS Drama Special. A duet. 2011;Retrieved November 13, 2011. from http://www.kbs.co.kr/drama/thedrama/vod/replay/1756527_38193.html
14. Kim CK. A study on determinants of employment for North Korean refugees. Koreanisch Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wirtschaftswissenschaften. 2007;25(2):15–39.
15. Kim EK, Hur SJ. Toward reciprocity of acculturation: Socio-psychological adjustment of North Korean refugee in South Korea. Minjok Yeonku. 2010;41:97–119.
16. Kim HA, Lee SY, Kim KS. The relationship between resilience and subjective well being: Based on Korean immigrants and North Korean refugees. Korean J Couns. 2011;12(1):333–354.Article
17. Kim HK. A phenomenological study on the experience of trauma recovery among the North Korean refugees. Seoul, Ewha Womans University. 2007;Unpublished doctoral dissertation.
18. Kim YJ. Supportive strategies for reunited North Korean defector families: Focusing on resilience. Korean Unification Stud. 2011;15(1):99–129.
19. Kim YK. Youth sonata. Woongjin ThinkBig: Paju; 2012.
20. Kim YW. A life history research of North Korean youth refugee for the support of social adaptation. Yongin, Kangnam University. 2007;Unpublished master's thesis.
21. Knipscheer JW, Kleber RJ. Acculturation and mental health among ghanaians in The Netherlands. Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2007;53(4):369–383. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0020764007078344Article PubMed PDF
22. Kroo A, Nagy H. Posttraumatic growth among traumatized somali refugees in Hungary. J Loss Trauma. 2011;16(5):440–458. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2011.575705Article
23. Lee CW. Study on North Korean middle aged male defectors' social capital formation. Seoul, University of North Korean Studies. 2013;Unpublished doctoral dissertation.
24. Lee MJ, Choi YJ, Choi SB. Multi cultural society and social distance for foreigners in Korean society. Surv Res. 2010;11(1):63–85.
25. Lee OJ, Kim HK. Lived experience of considering tomorrow among North Korean refugees. J Korean Acad Nurs. 2007;37(7):1212–1222.Article PDF
26. Lim HS. The experience of transition in pregnancy and childbirth among the married immigrant women in Korea. Korean J Women Health Nurs. 2011;17(3):243–255. http://dx.doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2011.17.3.243Article PubMed
27. Lincoln YS, Guba EG. Naturalistic inquiry. Beverly Hills, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc; 1985.
28. Ministry of Unification. North Korean defectors policy. 2013;Retrieved February 18, 2013. from http://www.unikorea.go.kr/CmsWeb/viewPage.req?idx=PG0000000365
29. North Korean Refugees Foundation Research Coordination Center. Fundamental analysis report: A study researched the lifestyle situation of North Korean defectors (No. Issue Brief No. 2011). Seoul: North Korean Refugees Foundation Research Coordination Center; 2011.01.
30. Park SH, Seong SH. A study on multicultural education policy present condition, task and performance analysis in Korea. J Coll Edu Seoul Nat Univ. 2008;72:19–60.
31. Patterson JM. Integrating family resilience and family stress theory. J Marriage Fam. 2002;64(2):349–360. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2002.00349.xArticle
32. Pumariega AJ, Rothe E, Pumariega JB. Mental health of immigrantsand refugees. Community Ment Health J. 2005;41(5):581–597. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10597-005-6363-1Article PubMed PDF
33. Schulze I. Noh SJ . Neue leben. Seoul: 2009.Moonji Publishing Co., Ltd; Original work published 2005.
34. van Manen M. Researching lived experience: Human science for an action sensitive pedagogy. New York, NY: SUNY Press; 1990.
35. Yoo HS. A study on a strategy of empowerment for overcoming the North Korean refugees' feeling of powerlessness. Trends Prospects. 2009;77:352–388.

Table 1

The Essential Themes Experienced by North Korean Defectors in South Korea

Figure & Data

REFERENCES

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Cite

CITE: export Copy Download Format; Close

Download Citation

Download a citation file in RIS format that can be imported by all major citation management software, including EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and Reference Manager.

Format:

RIS — For EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and most other reference management software
BibTeX — For JabRef, BibDesk, and other BibTeX-specific software

Include:

Citation for the content below
Citation and abstract for the content below

Adaptation Experiences in South Korea of Men defecting from North Korea

J Korean Acad Nurs. 2013;43(3):431-441. Published online June 28, 2013

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2013.43.3.431

XML Download

We recommend

Adaptation Experiences in South Korea of Men defecting from North Korea

Table 1

The Essential Themes Experienced by North Korean Defectors in South Korea

Table 1 The Essential Themes Experienced by North Korean Defectors in South Korea