Leiden University Student Repository

Riem, Sarah Annoeshka Nanny (2024)

The Perception of North Korean Defectors as an Indication for the Unification of the Korean Peninsula

Bachelor thesis | Koreastudies (BA)

This paper looks into the socio-cultural issues of a possible Korean unification by analysing the integration process of North Korean defectors into South Korean society and the issues surrounding this matter. Upon arrival, defector undergo a six-month security and adaptation program, followed by five more years of governmental subsidies. Despite the measure taken to ease their integration, many struggle after this five-year period. One of the major concerns is the marginalization they face by South Koreans, making them seem as culturally inferior. This paper suggests that in order to improve the integration process meaningful intergroup contact is necessary. In order to make a unification process successful, aside from economic and political factors, the social integration of the people plays an important part. For a Korean unification to go smoothly, changes need to be made in the current approach towards the integration of North Korean defectors to create a common ground among...Show moreThis paper looks into the socio-cultural issues of a possible Korean unification by analysing the integration process of North Korean defectors into South Korean society and the issues surrounding this matter. Upon arrival, defector undergo a six-month security and adaptation program, followed by five more years of governmental subsidies. Despite the measure taken to ease their integration, many struggle after this five-year period. One of the major concerns is the marginalization they face by South Koreans, making them seem as culturally inferior. This paper suggests that in order to improve the integration process meaningful intergroup contact is necessary. In order to make a unification process successful, aside from economic and political factors, the social integration of the people plays an important part. For a Korean unification to go smoothly, changes need to be made in the current approach towards the integration of North Korean defectors to create a common ground among Koreans on the basis of mutual understanding.Show less

North Korean defectors, Perception of Unification, Integration, Socio-cultural Issues, South Korean Public Opinion

Author

Riem, Sarah Annoeshka Nanny

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Supervisors

Park, J.H.

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en