북한이주민들의 남한사회에서 직장 유지경험에 대한 질적사례연구

Abstract

This study examined the factors that help the North Korean settlers continue their careers while working with their South Korean colleagues in South Korea based on Psychology of Working theory. Specifically, we investigated what intra- and interpersonal coping strategies and resources have influence on job maintenance and what psychological needs of North Korean defectors are met through work. The in-depth interviews were conducted for 5 months from September 2017 with 5 North Korean defectors who are currently employed in South Korea. We analyzed the data by using the qualitative case study method. As a result, we found 6 main categories, such as ‘practical information that helps adjustment to South Korean culture and work’, ‘having supportive South Korean colleagues, family, and acquaintances’, ‘implement strategies to secure position in the workplace as a settler’, ‘acquiring of adaptive relationship skills in the mainstream society’, ‘one’s way of thinking and self-management as individualized self’, and ‘compensation and economic satisfaction from the decent work’ with 18 subcategories. As PWT suggested, the current results reflect North Korean settlers’ needs of survival, social connections, and autonomy through their current job retention experience. Based on the findings, the needs for future research and practical implications regarding the adaptive work experience of North Korean settlers were suggested.