South Korea, the only divided country in the world, is home to approximately 30,000 North Korean defectors who exist as both immigrants and de facto refugees. Despite sharing ethnic, linguistic, and cultural commonalities with the majority population, their adaptation process in South Korean society remains fraught with challenges. While previous research has identified various contributing factors—such as pre-migration trauma, cultural dissonance, and economic hardship—this study focuses on the impact of social stigma related to their North Korean origin. Drawing upon Goffman's (1963) stigma theory and the concept of concealed stigmatized identity (Chaudoir & Fisher, 2010), this study employs the Disclosure Processes Model (DPM) to examine how self-disclosure influences social relationships and adaptation among North Korean defectors. A qualitative meta-synthesis approach is used to integrate and interpret existing qualitative studies, with particular attention to the dialectical tension between visibility and concealment, the experience of social isolation, and the disruption or reconfiguration of interpersonal ties. Based on the findings, this study critiques the limitations of current policy frameworks supporting North Korean defectors and proposes strategic improvements aimed at fostering inclusive support systems that account for the unique psychosocial burdens borne by individuals with a concealed stigmatized identity.

Authors:
Jeong-rae Jo, Korea Educational Development Institute, South Korea
Seol-Ki Lee, University of North Korean Studies, South Korea

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Jeong-rae Jo is a Researcher at the Korean Educational Development Institute (KEDI), South Korea. He holds a PhD in Social Welfare.

See this presentation on the full schedule – On Demand Schedule

Bookmark