The Influence of North Korean Political Ideologies on the Integration of North Korean Defectors in South Korea

• Main Author: Dongbae Lee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Finnish Oriental Society 2013-01-01
• Series: Studia Orientalia Electronica
• Subjects: north korean defectors (nkds); settlement in south korea; self-reliance (jucheism); heavily-monitored lives; political socialisation
• Online Access: https://journal.fi/store/article/view/8718

This paper investigates how the political socialisation of North Korean defectors (NKDs) in North Korea affects their adjustment in South Korea. This project is based on a survey of 106 NKDs and interviews with some of the respondents and South Koreans who help NKDs. An account is given of the history and resettlement of NKDs in South Korea, including the difficulties they experience. Furthermore, the paper describes the political ideology of self-reliance (Juche) and heavily monitored lives to which NKDs have been exposed in North Korea. The research finds that resettlement can be significantly affected by self-reliance ideology and heavily monitored lives. When NKDs in South Korea realised the deceptive reality of self-reliance ideology, they adjusted better than those who maintained the Juche point of view. Being brainwashed by Kim Jong-il’s regime caused NKDs to develop distrust and become individualistic. Due to having antipathy and hatred towards their enemies, they were inclined to be critical, aggressive, and negative towards South Koreans. Many also held a Manichean mindset and tended to avoid attending seminars and training meetings. The negative influences of their former lives in North Korea have generally had a great effect on their resettlement in South Korea.