Female Defectors Research Articles

Framing Identity and Gender in Public Discourse: A Corpus Analysis of Representation of North Korean Female Defectors

Framing Identity and Gender in Public Discourse: A Corpus Analysis of Representation of North Korean Female Defectors

Returning home: the reintegration dilemmas of female Al-Shabaab defectors in Kenya

Gendered responses to the disengagement and reintegration of female defectors are needed to respond to trends that indicate increasing female radicalisation and growth in the recruitment of women into terrorist networks. The development of successful gender-sensitive amnesty policies and reintegration programmes is crucial, not only to prevent recidivism and re-engagement among female defectors, but also to mitigate the risk of further female radicalisation and recruitment at community level. This article, based on research conducted with female Al-Shabaab defectors in Kenya, explores women’s gendered motives for joining the Al-Shabaab network, their experiences within it and their reasons for quitting in order to inform an evidence-based reintegration process. It identifies the gendered nuances involved in recruitment, disengagement and deradicalisation, and it also considers gender-specific aspects of reintegration, highlighting the need to focus on gendered needs, norms and the expectations of female Al-Shabaab defectors and the communities in which they are reintegrated.

초대받지 못한 손님과 복화술사들: 탈북문학과 혐오담론

This paper explores the themes of North Korean defectors’ novels published recently, and examines the discourse of hatred against defectors in the writings. At first North Korean defectors’ literature deals with the “conditional” acceptance of North Korean defectors as our neighbors. North Korean defectors, despite their continuous migration into South Korea since the “The Arduous March” period in the mid-1990s, are still usually imagined as “kkotjebi in jangmadang” or poor children who are begging in the marketplace. This outdated popular image, keeping their neighbors indifferent or unwilling to get close to them, drives North Koreans away from the network of social relationships. Secondly, the writings point out the problem of a hierarchical view toward North Korean defectors. The widespread notion that North Korean defectors are taken care of with “our” tax develops readily into the idea that “we” are being harmed by them. The general response to defectors, which converts sympathy and compassion into indifference and exclusion, keeps them as legitimate strangers or guests who are invited by nobody. Lastly, the novels are concerned about the sufferings of the next generation. Children of North Korean female defectors and Chinese men, embarrassed with their identity in South Korea but exposed to an identity crisis and negative self-perceptions, do not receive any proper attention. By describing the reality of North Korean migrants and exemplifying the cases of solidarity and hatred in South Korea, North Korean defectors’ literary writings require us to think together about what should be done against hatred.

Perceptions of Cervical Cancer among Female North Korean Defectors : Focus Group Interviews

Purpose: This study explored the perceptions of cervical cancer among female defectors from North Korea. Methods: Aqualitative method using focus group interviews was employed. Thirteen participants who were older than 20 when theyleft North Korea were recruited through a church-based community in Seoul. Data were collected from 3 focus group in terviews conducted in July 2021 after obtaining written consent from each participant. Each interview lasted for 40 to 50minutes and was recorded. After verbatim transcription, the data were analyzed qualitatively using the conventional con tent analysis method. Results: The following four categories were identified, each with two to three subcategories: mis conceptions about cervical cancer, barriers to knowledge acquisition, negative emotions toward the screening test, andexpectations for cervical cancer education. Conclusion: North Korean defectors have been considered particularly vulner able to cervical cancer, a major women’s health issue. Education and healthcare services need to be integrated into theservices they receive after they enter South Korea.

A Phenomenological Study on the Career Development Process of North Korean Female Defectors: Focusing on the Protean Career

본 연구는 북한이탈 여성들이 남한에서 경력을 추구했던 과정을 심층 분석하여 프로티언 커리어 관점에서 그들의 경험을 이해했다. 본 논문에서 사용한 연구방법은 Giorgi의 기술적 현상학 분석법과 Heidegger의 해석학적 현상학 방법이다. 연구결과, 14개의 중심의미와 5개의 주제, 1개의 본질적 주제가 도출되었다. 도출된 5가지의 주제는 ‘자신에 대한 신실함’, ‘타고난 재능과 지속적인 노력’, ‘트라우마를 극복하게 한 높은 회복탄력성’, ‘과거를 애도하는 과정’, ‘영적인 성장을 통한 의미의 발견’이고, 본질적 주제는 ‘프로티언 소명을 따르는 삶’이었다. 연구 참여자들은 사랑과 지지를 받는 양육환경에서 건강한 자기 형성이 되었고, 이를 통해 회복탄력성을 가지게 되어 트라우마를 극복하는 것이 가능했다. 그 결과, 그들은 용서와 화해, 진정한 감사함을 느끼며 과거를 애도할 수 있었고, 자신만의 이상과 목표를 가지고 소명을 추구하는 삶을 살 수 있었다. 이러한 연구 결과를 통해 대상관계적 심리치료와 기독교상담이 필요함을 제시하였다.

Fear of Crime among Female North Korean Defectors in South Korea.

Although some studies have focused on immigrants' fear of crime in the United States, it is important to point out that the number of North Korean defectors to South Korea has rapidly increased since the 1990s. Therefore, understanding factors associated with fear of crime for North Korean immigrants, especially female defectors, is important for ensuring their successful transitions into South Korean culture. The present study used existing survey data from a sample of female North Korean defectors to explore factors related to fear of crime. Results indicate that the number of North Korean friends, language proficiency, and patriarchal attitudes toward gender were significant predictors of fear of crime for the North Korean female defectors. Findings are described and discussed as a potential source for policymaking to reduce North Korean immigrants' acculturative stress and fear of crime and to encourage smooth transitions into new cultures.

'I Want to Live': Malayan Communist Party Struggles as Seen by Female Defectors

The voices of women defectors from the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) rarely feature in the MCP's grand narrative of its struggle for liberation in Malaya or in accounts prepared by party veterans, and only become visible through the prism of government propaganda. Using published memoirs, interview material from the Oral History Centre at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and personal interviews with two former women cadres of the MCP, this article focuses on the views of women who defected before the signing of the 1989 Haadyai Peace Accord. It provides the perspective of ordinary members on the MCP's ideas regarding war and revolution, and the position of women.

북한이탈여성의 의료서비스 적응 경험

북한이탈여성의 의료서비스 적응 경험

The effects of Assad’s atrocities and the call to foreign fighters to come to Syria on the rise and fall of the ISIS Caliphate

ABSTRACT The present study is a targeted analysis of in-depth interviews of ISIS defectors, returnees, and imprisoned cadres about the motivational effects of the Assad regime’s atrocities against the Syrian people and how they bolstered the calls to foreign fighters to come to Syria. This research question is examined within a larger study of 245 in-depth research interviews of male and female ISIS defectors, returnees, and imprisoned cadres. Many of these ISIS members joined early in the Syrian uprising, responding to calls from ISIS, rebel groups, and the Syrian people themselves to come to their aid. Motivated to travel and join in response to the world’s lack of meaningful remedies to Assad’s atrocities, many voiced their hatred of Assad as a primary factor in their willingness to join ISIS. Therefore, this study examines how ISIS cadres responded to Assad’s atrocities and ISIS’s self-portrayal as the defenders of Syrian Sunni Muslims.

북한이탈여성의 북한 군 생활 경험

북한이탈여성의 북한 군 생활 경험

북한이탈여성의 가정폭력피해가 정신건강에 미치는 영향

북한이탈여성의 가정폭력피해가 정신건강에 미치는 영향

Childcare Experiences of North Korean Female Defectors Living in South Korean Society

Childcare Experiences of North Korean Female Defectors Living in South Korean Society

A mobile video intervention for women's health of North Korean defectors.

The prevalence of North Korean female defectors is increasing in South Korea. Women who leave North Korea are exposed to sexual harassments, abuse, and other threats to their survival, which can have a devastating effect on their health. In this study, a mobile video intervention program about selected aspects of women`s health was developed specifically for North Korean female defectors; its impact on behavioral change was evaluated. A one group pre/posttest design was used with 61 female defectors who participated in the mobile video intervention. The program consisted of eight sessions focusing on the prevention and management of vaginitis and cervical cancer. The study results showed that knowledge and behavioral confidence on vaginitis and cervical cancer increased significantly among the participants following the intervention. This mobile video intervention program was effective in improving specific health knowledge and behavioral confidence of the participants. The program can be used to improve women`s health in this population.

Clothing acculturation of North Korean female defectors in South Korea

The purpose of this study is to observe how female defectors from North Korea acculturate in South Korean clothing culture and to discuss possible policies to help their cultural settlement. North Korean defectors can experience culture shock and feel much pressure to adopt new lifestyle in terms of South Korean mode of fashion. Therefore, this research examines cultural points where NK female defectors recognize differences between two clothing cultures. To this end, in-depth interview was conducted with 11 participants. Researchers observed three types of clothing acculturation and drew a paradigm model that depicts the phenomenon of clothing acculturation of North Korean female defectors. Lastly, this study discussed about three possible policy suggestions based on the observed acculturation strategies by acculturation types. This study involves academic implications for investigating clothing acculturation by an immigrant group in a new society in a broad sense. There is a limit on this research that there can be some biased responses from participants because of the uniqueness of the group.

(An Analysis of the Credit Behaviors of North Korean Defectors in South Korea)

Korean Abstract: 본 연구에서는 북한이탈주민의 신용행태를 분석하기 위해 신용정보 데이터(Credit Bureau data)를 이용하였다. 신용정보 데이터에서 북한이탈주민과 소득수준, 성별, 연령, 신용등급, 신용거래 기간 등이 북한이탈주민과 유사한 국내에서 계속 거주하던 기존주민 대조군을 추출하여 패널 데이터를 구축하였다. 패널모형 분석 결과 북한이탈주민은 대조군에 비해 연체 및 채무불이행 건수가 유의하게 높게 추정되었다. 신용관리 정도의 결정요인에서도 두 집단 간 차이를 나타냈다. 북한이탈주민은 신용거래 기간이 증가함에 따라 대조군에 비해 연체 건수는 더 빠르게 감소하는 반면, 장기 연체인 채무불이행 건수는 더 빠르게 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 이는 북한이탈주민의 경우 금융경험이 축적됨에 따라 신용관리 능력이 향상되기는 하지만, 심각한 채무상환에서의 상환능력은 취약할 수 있음을 의미한다. 또한 대조군은 성별에 따른 연체 건수의 차이가 없는 반면, 장기간 군복무 등으로 비공식경제 참여 경험이 부족할 것으로 예상되는 북한이탈주민 남성은 여성과 비교하여 연체 건수가 유의하게 높은 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과는 북한이탈주민의 경우 오랜 기간 사회주의 사회에서의 거주 경험으로 인한 금융지식 부족으로 국내 정착 직후 개인 신용관리에 어려움을 겪을 수 있음을 시사한다. 따라서 북한이탈주민에 대한 금융 포용성(financial inclusion) 확대를 위해서는 별도의 금융교육 등 지원정책을 고려할 필요가 있다. English Abstract: This paper examines the credit behaviors of North Korean defectors living in South Korea, using Korean credit bureau data. We construct individual-level panel data on North Korean defectors and South Korean residents sharing similar characteristics in terms of demographic and economic variables. The results of our panel analyses reveal a significantly higher number of delinquencies and defaults by North Korean defectors compared to the South Korean control group. Subsequent analysis of the credit management determinants also indicates significant differences between the two groups. While the number of delinquencies by North Korean defectors falls more rapidly than that in the control group as their credit histories lengthen, the number of defaults, which are long-term delinquencies, increases more rapidly. This implies that defectors' credit management capacities are improving as they accumulate financial experience, but that their resilience can be weaker in conditions of heavy debt. While the number of delinquencies in the control group does not differ by gender, the North Korean male defectors, who because of their long-term mandatory military service are expected to lack experience in informal economic activities compared to the female defectors, show a significantly higher number of delinquencies. These findings suggest that the lack of financial knowledge stemming from prolonged residence in a socialist society has a negative impact on defectors’ financial adaptation in South Korea. Therefore, in order to increase the degree of financial inclusion for North Korean defectors, additional support, such as financial education, should be considered.

북한이탈여성의 성지식, 성태도, 스트레스 대처와 자아탄력성

북한이탈여성의 성지식, 성태도, 스트레스 대처와 자아탄력성

출신성분에 따른 탈북여성의 문화적응 기제에 관한 비교분석

본 연구는 현재 남한에 입국한 북한이탈주민의 71% 이상을 차지하고 있는 탈북여성의 남한사회 적응과 관련하여 출신성분에 따른 Berry의 문화적응 이론의 재검증을 시도한 연구이다. 이를 위해 북한의 출신성분제도, Berry의 문화적응 이론, 관련 선행 연구들을 검토하였고 IRB심의가 끝난 2014년 12월 15일~2015년 2월 30일까지 FGI 및 설문조사를 통해 탈북여성이 겪는 사회적 정체감과 문화적 유능감을 밝혀보고자 연구를 수행하였다. 연구결과 출신성분에 따른 남 북한정체감(심리적 문화적응 전략), 문화적 유능감, 지각된 동화 압력, 문화이질감의 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났으며 문화적응은 개별적인 사례 특성에 따라 다른 것임을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 연구결과에 기반하여 구체화된 발전과제를 제시하였으며 본 연구의 의의와 함께 후속연구의 과제를 제안하였다. This study aims to examine heterogeneous acculturation patterns of elite North Korean female defectors in South Korea. The study employed a synthetic comparative analysis. A series of in-depth interviews with 5 North Korean female defectors in South Korea were conducted. In addition, the research team implemented 20 open-ended surveys with other defectors. Through this study, we have found various types of cultural adaptation in the group of the elite North Korean women in South Korea. The study findings imply that it is imperative to establish national policies that support different types of North Korean defectors. Putting all North Koreans into one category might result in alienation and discrimination to some groups. Thus how the participants reframed their social identify in South Korea illuminates essential facets of human-right education, especially education for refugees and immigrants in different global and multi-cultural contexts.

감각적 사유와 이질적 주체 구성-종편의 탈북여성 재현의 정치

감각적 사유와 이질적 주체 구성-종편의 탈북여성 재현의 정치

Posttraumatic Growth Experiences of North Korean Female Defectors

Posttraumatic Growth Experiences of North Korean Female Defectors

Acculturation as a frustration-negotiation cycle: North Korean women defectors in South Korea

Ever since the corrupt leadership of North Korea stopped distributing wages and food, men’s role as breadwinners was upended and the family structure has altered. Wives tended to take on both roles, as breadwinners and homemakers because their husbands became unable to provide financial security for their families. North Korea has had a male-dominated family structure, where a man’s authority over his wife far exceeds what is seen in South Korea, where women are quite independent; marriage begins with a romantic relationship, and divorce is not such a disgrace. It was seen that female defectors have tended to exceed male defectors with respect to financial independence. For the latter, one of the main obstacles in cultural adaption is change in political ideology, which did not bother the former to the same extent. While the men struggled with ideological changes, the women approached their circumstances realistically and were more down to earth. In this study, three female defectors, aged 31, 42, and 53 years, participated and shared their stories. Throughout the interviews, they frequently compared their lives in both North and South Korea. The substantial differences between the two locations resulted in major frustration for them. While the participants experienced frustration with regard to their negotiations—or what is referred to as frustration-negotiation in this study—they developed their own sense of judgment and perspectives and began to modify their identities.