4 - Interview Synopsis

1. Interviewee "A" by Jonghyun 

Interviewee: Subject A/ North Korean Sociology Major Student at SNU

Date and Location of Interview: 26th October 2015/ Habrunch Cafe (Naksungdae Station)

Having conducted the interview regarding North Korean defectors living in South Korea as planned, the following information was gathered:

- The subject is originally from the North Eastern region of North Korea.

- He grew up in a relatively wealthy family environment until his father passed away.

- The subject was fairly studious, achieving top grades at school when is father passed away when he was 14 years of age.

- One year following the death of his father, the subject's mother travelled to China (legally with a North Korean passport which can be attained in return for a substantial amount of money.)

- The subject's mother travelled to China due to poverty, which became inevitable due to the death of her husband, who had been the breadwinner for the household.

- The mother did not return from China (surpassing the 3 months limit of the travel permit) and the subject was harassed by the North Korean police for this reason.

- This was the reason for the subject's defection, and it was achieved through the help of his mother.

- The subject's primary reason for defection was due to his possibility of any promising future being jeprodised as a result of his mother's defection.

- South Korean pavements and roads, the number of vehicles on the roads, the stable electricity and water supplies, colourful clothes people were wearing etc were some of the things that surprised the subject when he came to South Korea.

- But it was the promise of a future and hope of a better future through effort that pleased the subject most regarding South Korea.

- He was not subject to any serious discrimination, and there were some who actively sought to help him adapt to South Korean society. Of course, there also were those who sought to make his life harder, and this was mainly due to the benefits he recieved (which some obviously considered unjust.)

- Interestingly, whilst the subject doesn't regard the North Korean government and nation as his home country, he regards it as his hometown. Also, he continues to regard the North Korean people as his fellow countrymen.

- He does not normally feel the desire to return to North Korea, but if the two nations were to unify he would certainly like to visit his hometown again.

- There is a North Korean community within the SNU and also beyond the school framework. The community involves itself with charity work and church-related activities.

- It is the belief of the subject that close North Korean communities hinder the pace at which these people can adapt to South Korean society; he recommends interacting with South Koreans as the best way to help adapt to this society and culture.

2. Interviewee "B" by Hyung-Cheol

 He was born in Ongjin, Hwanhaenamdo, North Korea and had lived in Pyongyang since he was 2 years old. His family defected from North Korea to South Korea. We talked about how he really has lived in South Korea.

(1)   Common person like others

As a defector and Seoul National University student, he was not that different. Of course, he risked his life and it was very special experience, but it does not make him different person. When he first came here, South Korea, everything was totally new and marvelous to him. However, he now already adapted himself to new culture and got used to using state-of-the-art devices. Just like me, he would also like to go travel if time and money allow him to do that and he was worried about his future career. He was so busy that he couldn’t participate in defectors community.

(2)   Not one of them, one of us

He seemed pretty satisfied with the life in SK, due to freedom and modern conveniences he couldn’t get in NK. Of course, however, he cannot be content with every single aspect of life in SK. He didn’t get any discrimination, fortunately, but he heard that other defectors were discriminated against by the South Korean. In addition to that, there are many defectors who failed to adjust themselves to South Korean life. They are having a hard time to be perfectly harmonized with the South Korean society. And sometimes he do miss friends he used to hang out with in NK.

(3)   Fitting in S. Korean standards

He said it was quite hard for him to understand South Korean language, because of vocabularies originated from foreign languages, especially from English. In NK, they barely used loan words and translate almost every single word into North Korean. Unlike SK, North used to teach Russian as the first foreign language when he was young, so it was harder for him. Also because of his accent, it was easy to recognize him as a defector.

3. Interviewee "C" by Sung Jun

  Interviewee C is professional counselor for North Korean defectors. He works in the public center for them in Seoul. He is 30’s in his age.

 

(1) The change in reasons to flee from North Korea

In the past, the economic reason was the main cause. That is, a severe poverty. However, today, there are two other reasons. First of all, political freedom. Lots of Defectors used to be threatened by the authoritarian regime. Second, as the North Korea becomes more stable than the past, lots of defectors seek for more prosperous lives.(not just basic needs)

 

(2) Stereotypes attached to North Korean defectors

South Koreans usually think of them as people who are in lack of common sense or Knowledge. And also South Koreans regard them as lazy people who just came to here for social assistances. And most of South Koreans don’t wonder why defectors have difficulties in here because they think of them as inpatient.

 

(3) Specific difficulties in South Korea

First of all, lots of defectors are very sick such as cancer and chronic disease. They are suffering from these diseases before coming here.

Secondly, they are in need of money right now. Many things cost them much such as broker fee.

Third, they have difficultly in communicating with South Koreans. Since they are sometimes too straightforward unlike South Koreans.

 

(4) Interactions with South Koreans

North Korean defectors usually don’t be reluctant to go along with South Koreans. However, there are a few ways to meet them. Religion gathering or working places are the common meeting place.

 

(5) Difficulties as professional counselor

Sometimes, it is very hard to make deeper relationship with them. Because they don’t show what they think and feel easily. They are very used to being hide their emotion. If they had been honest, they would have died before coming here.

Secondly, if there is a little conflict or misunderstanding with counselors, North korean defectors sometimes don’t want to talk with them any longer.

 

(6) Any Last words

It is advisable for South Koreans to give hands to North Korean defectors. It would be very helpful them.