The Challenges Faced by North Korean Defectors

The Ch allenges Faced by sum Korean Defelectroconvulsive therapyors, and the E? ectiveness of nongovernmental judicatures in Aiding their Plight Sociology 250 Gabrielle Bishop Instructor Jerry Hinbest nitrogen Korean refugees vista a number of obstacles both prior to and after fashioning the escape cock from a regime that has literally starved them from feed, facts, and freedom. From the day they be born, sexual union Koreans are e? ectively brainwashed by their government into believing that they give way in a figureers paradise, and that in comparison the away military man is a hopeless place.Most go onto believe this whole-heartedly, as outdoors ows of deliriumivation (which could potentially expose their government) are essentially non-existent. However, in the wake of extreme nutriment shortages, many citizens assimilate decided to defect from the Democratic Peoples Republic of northeastward Korea (DPRK). The majority of which intend to make the transit nort h through China, to southeastward Asia, and nally reach confederation Korea, where they can be granted refugee status and be given nancial corroboration from the South Korean government.Some opt to remain in China, where they accept to live as illegal aliens (Kim, H. K. , &038 Lee, O. J. (2009). A Phenomenological Study on the Experience of northeast Korean Refugees. Nursing Science Quarterly, 22(1), 85-88) as the journey to South Korea can be long and expensive. Even if they are lucky in completing the journey from magnetic north Korea to China, Southeast Asia, South Korea, or elsewhere, studies show that atomic number 7 Korean defectors are at a racy risk of experiencing Post-traumatic accentuate Dis dress (posttraumatic stress disorder) (Jeon, W. , Hong, C. , Lee, C. Kim, D. K. , Han, M. , &038 Min, S. (2005). Correlation amongst Traumatic Events and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Among northmost Korean Defectors in South Korea. diary of Traumatic Stress, 18 (2), 147- 154 Chung, S. , &038 Seo, J. (2007). A Study on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Among northeastern Korean Defectors and their Social Adjustment in South Korea. Journal of bolshie and Trauma, 12, 365-382). However, evidence has shown that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were roaring in helping defectors adjust to their new lives outside of the DPRK 1 Kim, J. (2010). A Study of the Roles of NGOs for jointure Korean Refugees sympathetic Rights. Journal of Immigrant &038 Refugee Studies, 8. 1, 76-90. ). Unfortunately, due to the isolationist nature of northwestward Korea, original research (and information in general) on related topics can be around di? cult to nd. In conclusion, these refugees face a number of fond, physical, and nancial barriers, starting from the way they convey been brainwashed, and leading to potential mental health homecomings, even if their escape from sexual union Korea is successful.However, rehabilitation for these refugees is hence possible. To understand any matter relating to unification Korea, it is rst needful to understand the context in which the nation operates. northwestern Korea has been referred to as the approximately isolated produce in the world (Kim, 2010) this is largely owing to the puckish grip Kim Jong Il possesses over all state media in the DPRK. However, since the 1990s, more(prenominal) and more northwesterly Koreans have made the decision to defect (Kim et all, 2009 Chung et al, 2007).This blind drunk grip also extends into the educational sphere, as research shows that compass north Koreas are trained to be suspicious of outsiders (Lee, D. (2010). Portrayals of Non- north-central Koreans in North Korean Textbooks and the governance of National identity . Asiatic Studies Reivew, 34, 349-369. ) At rst, some might proportion the rising number of defectors to the process of globalization, and the a? ects it could have on reservation sources of eye-opening outside media more readily ava ilable in the Hermit commonwealth. However, with the exception of a few upper- aim party o? ials in the Propaganda Department entrusted with producing the only media allowed in the state, most average North Koreans have no way of understanding what basic human rights exist outside of the DPRK (Clippinger, M. E. (1981). Kim Chong-il in the North Korean Mass Media A Study of Semi-Esoteric Communication. Asian Survey, 21(3), 289-309. ). Thus, case studies have shown that the vast majority of refugees choose to ee because of famish and/or economic reasons (Jeon et al, 2005 Robinson, W. C. , Lee, M. K. , Hill, K. , Hsu, E. , &038 Burnham, G. (2001).Demographic Methods to Assess Food Insecurity a North Korean Case Study. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 16(4), 286-291. ) this would also explain why the meter of refugees 2 increase when insider reports of famine increases (Jeon et al, 2005). However, these studies (which all demonstrate evidence of famine) blatantly contradict the Nor th Korean governments constant reassurance that on that point is no shortage of food at bottom the DPRK (for example, the Dear Leader tardily made a visit to an apple orchard in country-bred North Korea which was publicized in an approved North Korean parole service.The article gave the impression that agriculture in the DPRK is ourishing, and that farmers and consumers alike are all satis ed. Kim Jong Il Gives Field Guidance to Ryongjon Fruit Farm. (2011, October 3). Korean News) However, history and foregone studies have shown that after the death of Kim Il Sung (North Koreas big Leader) in 1994, a series of natural disasters leading to food shortages in the DPRK occurred. In 1995 and 1996, severe ooding in 1997 a large-scale drought (Jeon et al, 2005). This brought about extreme food shortages, placing millions of people at risk of starvation1 (Robinson et al, 2001).About 75% of the North Korean population are eligible to purchase subsidise food rations via the governme nts Public Distri neverthelession System (Robinson et al, 2001) confine portions vary depending on age and occupational status (o? cially, adults grow 700g of grain a day children 500g and elderly 600g however, recently-arrived North Korean respondents to a survey conducted in China noted that these were grossly in ated numbers, and that most people receive much less) (Robinson et Al, 2001). Despite this, many Koreans static starve.This has take to many having ed north of the border, to China, where despite the fact that basic social services cannot be guaranteed (the Chinese government does not permit North Korean refugees to stay in China, and has a policy to deport verbalise refugees), defectors can at least have access to food via background knowledge up their own small-scale farms. Studies estimate that between 50,000 and 150,000 North Koreans are temporarily living in China, because of this (Robinson et al, 2001). 3 Even after making the journey to China, through Southe ast Asia, and nally to South Korea, studies show that many North Korean refugees battle against ental health issues, like PTSD (Yu, S. , Jeon, W. , Cho, Y. , &038 Eom, J. (2008). Traumatic Experiences and kind Health of North Korean Refugees in South Korea. Psychiatry Invest, 5, 213-220 Chung, 2007 Jeon, 2005 etc). A study undertaken in 2007 collected data via interviews with North Korean defectors vulcanised 18 and up who had been admitted to South Korea since 1990 and had been there for at least 3 months post-completion of the governments protective management course at the Hanawon educate centre. The results of this study rear the following 60 of the 133 exits (45. 1%) fell within the high-risk group, leaving 73 persons (54. %) in the low- risk group. This meant that almost half of the subjects remained exposed to PTSD risks. The mean total score for social margin of the high-risk group was 34. 22, and that of the low-risk group was 36. 51 the 2. 29-point di? erence betwe en the two groups was rig to be signi cant, t(131) 1? 4 2. 098, p . 05. These results adequately re ect the reality that the social adjustment of the high-risk group was poorer than that of the low-risk group, also suggesting that PTSD deserves more attention when considering the likelihood of social adjustment success among North Korean defectors. (Chung, 2007).This study, like many separates, showed that along with new(prenominal) issues (ex problems with family relationships and nancial management) the overall level of social adjustment among North Korean defectors in South Korea was sooner low (Chung 2007 Kim 2009 Yu, 2008). The Chung study noted that it would be bene cial, based on the ndings, to saddle a mental health intervention system in order to act preemptively against defectors becoming at risk for PTSD and any other mental health issues, and that a follow-up management system express support among defectors in their new local communities mustiness also be 4 stab lished (Chung, 2007). The Chung study also noted that special care must be directed towards female person defectors in their adaption to South Korean society, as they are often at risk for sexual abuse, among other di? culties, that their male counterparts are not faced with however, in spite of this, female defectors still demonstrated lower levels of PTSD symptoms and social adjustment than their male counterparts (Chung, 2007).One col in the Chung research project was that it failed to address the issue of North Korean defectors past traumatic experiences, and that it acknowledged that more in-depth data on the subject should be collected for a more holistic understanding of North Korean defectors social adjustments to life in South Korea. Most NGO activities for North Korean refugees are focused on providing humanitarian serve and protecting their rights in other countries, particularly China (Kim, 2010). In a study done in 2010 by Jungin Kim, four NGOs working to support Nort h Korean defectors were analyzed. valet Rights First was the rst NGO to be studied.Research showed that the organization had attempted to improve standards for DPRK human rights, and despite existence unsuccessful in passing the North Korean Refugee Act of 2002 in the USA, continued to ght towards the nerve of a human rights protection-related law (Kim, 2010). In the second case study, Japan-based support Funds for Korean Refugees (LFKR) was examined. LFKR helped play an instrumental role in the move of DPRK defectors in Japan. (Kim, 2010) As well, LFKR established and maintained secret routes within North Korea, where food was successfully delivered to starving people (Kim, 2010).LKFR is known to also work alongside Christian Solidarity spherewide (UK), Human Rights without Frontiers (Belgium), the US Defense meeting place (USA), and Durihana Mission (South Korea), in e? orts to build a network of NGOs crosswise the world, united by a common cause (Kim, 2010). Furthermore, t he study found that through providing an English-language website and equipping its sta? with language skills and other ethnic background knowledge, LKFR was successful in gaining international attention from journalists and building networks with other NGOs and government o? ials (Kim, 2010). The Seoul-based NGO known as the Citizens Alliance for North Korean Human 5 Rights (NKHR), has taken an educational court through dressing North Korean refugees upon arrival in the south (Kim, 2010). NKHR provides refugee resettlement, various training and cultural programs, publication and academic activities, etc. (Kim, 2010). The study found that these initiatives have indeed proved successful NKHRs only barrier to extending its programs to more defectors being funding (Kim, 2010).Finally, World Vision was the last NGO studied. age the other NGOs focussed on providing education or resettlement services to defectors, World Vision was found to take a more humanitarian approach to aiding N orth Koreans (ex providing them with relief kits in response to the ooding in North Korea) (Kim, 2010). While many of these NGOs were found to play a positive role in helping North Korean citizens and defectors, Kim also notes that a possible issue with NGOs is that many compete for limited resources and recognition (Kim 2010).As well, he notes that it has been disputed whether or not NGOs can truly remain independent, or third-party, in the spirit that the limited money that does go towards the NGO can come with political strings attached (Kim, 2010). He also points out the obvious hazard that NGO workers put themselves in when dealing with North Korean and Chinese human rights a? airs, citing the instances where two LFNKR aid workers were arrested and thrown into Chinese prisons, as China maintains the philosophy that human rights are not universal, but quite an are subject to each respective country (Kim, 2010).In conclusion, research shows that the types of struggles North Ko rean defectors face are emotional, mental, and economic, among other things. The defectors often choose to ee North Korea due to extreme food shortages, and are met with a world of shock after being exposed to the outside world (as the state media in North Korea is highly regulated and controlled). This shock often manifests itself in the form of PTSD.Several NGOs are trying to address the issues faced by North Korean refugees, through a variety of methods, including humanitarian aid, social support, education, training programs, emotional &038 mental support, refugee resettlement, etc. These programs are generally quite successful, but are in need of 6 funding. In closing, research demonstrates that there is indeed hope for North Korean refugees, and with the right capital, surely they testament be able to have a better life postdefection. 7 References Chung, S. , &038 Seo, J. (2007) A Study on Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Among North Korean Defectors and their Social Adjustment in South Korea.Journal of Loss and Trauma, 12, 365-382 Clippinger, M. E. (1981). Kim Chong-il in the North Korean Mass Media A Study of Semi-Esoteric Communication. Asian Survey, 21(3), 289-309. Jeon, W. , Hong, C. , Lee, C. , Kim, D. K. , Han, M. , &038 Min, S. (2005). Correlation Between Traumatic Events and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Among North Korean Defectors in South Korea. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 18(2), 147-154 Kim, H. K. , &038 Lee, O. J. (2009). A Phenomenological Study on the Experience of North Korean Refugees. Nursing Science Quarterly, 22(1), 85-88 Kim, J. (2010).A Study of the Roles of NGOs for North Korean Refugees Human Rights. Journal of Immigrant &038 Refugee Studies, 8. 1, 76-90 Lee, D. (2010). Portrayals of Non-North Koreans in North Korean Textbooks and the Formation of National Identity . Asian Studies Reivew, 34, 349-369. Robinson, W. C. , Lee, M. K. , Hill, K. , Hsu, E. , &038 Burnham, G. (2001). Demographic Methods to Assess Food Insecurity a Nort h Korean Case Study. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 16(4), 286-291. Yu, S. , Jeon, W. , Cho, Y. , &038 Eom, J. (2008). Traumatic Experiences and Mental Health of North Korean Refugees in South Korea. Psychiatry Invest, 5, 213-220. 8