The effect of social identity on integration of social minorities: The case of North Korean refugees in South Korea

Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of a shared social identity on social behaviors of a marginalized population by focusing on North Korean refugees in South Korea. The findings of a behavioral experiment with North Korean refugees show that the common Korean identity can promote their integration in South Korea, despite considerable differences caused by seven-decade long separation between the two countries. Perceiving ethnic unity shared with South Koreans stimulates North Koreans’ socially desirable behaviors and attitudes such as trust, cooperation, confidence, and life satisfaction in South Korea, as well as their self-confidence about North Korean origin. In addition, the effect of the shared identity is greater for women and better educated persons – the finding that stresses the importance of education and gender-specific policy to accelerate social integration of North Korean refugees.