The integration process of North Korean defectors in South Korea

The political division of the Korean Peninsula has created significant differences not only in the political sphere but also in the social, cultural, and economic domains between the two Korean states. South Korea is a country that has undergone rapid development and integrated into the capitalist system, while North Korea is a country characterized by a closed structure and governed by an authoritarian regime. This thesis examines the differences brought about by political division, particularly through the process of North Korean refugees' integration into South Korean society. In this study, the integration process of North Korean refugees in South Korea has been thoroughly examined using a qualitative approach, taking into account data obtained from various sources such as government reports, media news, academic studies, and reports published by non-governmental organizations. The findings indicate that Juche ideology, which underpins North Korea's governance and promotes self-sufficiency, the Songbun system that categorizes the populace into three primary and fifty-one subordinate classes with negligible class mobility, economic adversity, adverse living conditions, ideological re-education camps known as Kwanliso (관리소) and Kyohwaso (교화소) where political detainees are compelled to labor, and pervasive societal repression are the principal factors driving migration. Additionally, the results demonstrate that asylum seekers encounter substantial obstacles in South Korea, such as social exclusion and isolation, cultural disparities, language impediments, and economic incongruities. Over and above that, social support networks such as non-governmental organizations, educational programs aimed at facilitating adaptation to societal life, and government support play a crucial role in the integration process. For example, the Hanawon rehabilitation center established by the South Korean government has a significant impact on helping refugees adapt to societal life more quickly. In this context, the study questions the adequacy of South Korea's current integration policies and aims to promote social cohesion by developing refugee policies and adopting more inclusive approaches. Keywords: South Korea, North Korea, defector, integration, cultural and social integration