KMID : 0806120130430030431
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´ëÇÑ°£È£ÇÐȸÁö 2013 Volume.43 No. 3 p.431 ~ p.441
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Adaptation Experiences in South Korea of Men defecting from North Korea
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Kim Kyoung-Mi
Kim Mi-Young
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Abstract
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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.
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KEYWORD
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Adaptation, Experiences, Qualitative research, Refugees
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