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As of December 2023, 34,078 North Korean defectors had entered South Korea, with more than 1,000 arrivals annually until 2019. The South Korean government, under the "Act on the Protection and Settlement Support of North Korean Defectors," provides comprehensive settlement assistance, including education, employment support, medical care, and housing. However, approximately half of North Korean defectors who have lived in South Korea for over a year suffer from mild to severe depression, with loneliness identified as one of the main contributing factors.
This study examines the development of social capital among North Korean defectors and suggests strategies to improve their integration into South Korean society. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling, starting with one initial defector who referred others for the study. One-on-one in-depth interviews, lasting about one hour each, were conducted in person with 24 defectors. The research examines the role of bonding social capital (connections among defectors) and bridging social capital (interactions with South Koreans) in shaping their settlement experiences. Bonding social capital showed mixed results: while it provides practical support, such as advice and job information, it also involves challenges like fraud and conflicts within defector communities, leading some to avoid these networks. Bridging social capital is often established through education, workplaces, or religious activities. In the early stages of settlement in South Korea, North Korean defectors primarily formed bonding social capital with other defectors who arrived around the same time or lived in nearby areas. As they gradually adapted to society, they began to develop bridging social capital. Younger defectors in their 20s and 30s often interacted with South Koreans through universities or part-time jobs, while middle-aged defectors in their 40s and 50s typically built relationships with South Koreans in work environments. Religious institutions initially served as a platform for building relationships, but many defectors did not maintain these relationships over time. Due to fear of prejudice, many defectors adapt by trying to behave like native South Koreans. Younger defectors often adjust their accents and avoid disclosing their origins unless necessary, while middle-aged defectors are generally more open about their identities.
The findings emphasize the importance of balancing bonding and bridging social capital for successful integration. Many North Korean defectors who participated in the study initially relied on bonding social capital to gain emotional stability during the early stages of their settlement in South Korea. Over time, however, they reduced their reliance on these networks, maintaining only a few close relationships while preserving their sense of identity. Simultaneously, through their experiences in South Korean society, they gradually increased their focus on bridging social capital, aiming to assimilate and adopt behaviors more aligned with South Koreans.
Despite sharing the same ethnicity, South Koreans and North Korean defectors have followed vastly different economic and cultural paths due to the division of the Korean Peninsula, resulting in defectors experiencing both inclusion and prejudice within South Korean society. This background illustrates that existing theories, such as the 'salad bowl' or 'melting pot,' may not adequately address the unique characteristics of North Korean detectors. Effective support systems must address their specific needs, foster constructive relationships, and help build broader connections with South Korean society. Programs that encourage mutual understanding and reduce prejudice can play a critical role in achieving meaningful integration and improving the quality of life for defectors.
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
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