A Comparative Analysis of the Integration Measures for North Korean Refugees in South Korea through the Lens of East Germans in West Germany

Abstract:

While the South Korean government requires North Korean refugees to go through an extensive three-month-long residential resettlement program (called “Hanawon”), many of these refugees still exhibit struggles assimilating into South Korean society, especially long-term. Political and social science literature often focuses on the challenges that come with the ethnic differences and the legal integration of refugees. However, neither of these issues apply to the Korean case, since refugees are ethnically similar, speak the same language, and immediately obtain legal status upon arrival. A similar pattern can be found when looking at former East German refugees in West Germany. Thus, this thesis explores two questions: Why does short-term integration in this context seem rather effective but long-term integration remains a challenge for these refugees? And what can the differences in outcomes for the German and Korean case teach us about successful strategies for the integration of ethnically similar populations? Through a qualitative analysis of interviews with these refugees, this thesis finds that while a frontload of resources may be beneficial for some refugees—especially for refugees with similar characteristics—a continuous supply of integration resources targeting their mental health, financial circumstances, and social status appears more advantageous.