탈북여성들의 ‘경계 넘기’에 관한 연구

Abstract

This study is an attempt to improve understanding of North Korean defector women by illuminating the experiences and current status of women living in South Korea through crossing the border after living in North Korea. The long and difficult escape journey of North Korean women began with the long-term economic and food shortages in North Korean society, and the patriarchal culture in which women were responsible for the survival of their families instead of men. The ‘boundary crossing’ of North Korean defector women who escaped from the authoritarian state of North Korea can be summarized as follows. First, the first ‘border crossing’ of the research participants was defection from North Korea and life in China. Residents who depended on the state had to flee each other due to the food shortage and chose to defect to China instead of living in North Korea to find a chance to survive. The research participants expected to find work with the help of a broker during the process of escaping from North Korea, but were forced to live in involuntary marriage due to human trafficking. Although she gave birth to and raised her children, she faced the cruel reality of being excluded and threatened with reporting by her in-laws' family due to her identity as a North Korean defector. Second, the second ‘border crossing’ was to leave China and enter Korea. The research participants adapted to life in China and developed strategies to survive. However, family registration in China was impossible, and the status of a North Korean defector was an unstable one, as one could be repatriated to North Korea at any time. To break this instability, I decided to go to Korea. Third, North Korean defector women who retain trauma must overcome mental boundaries while living in South Korea. The painful memories she had after experiencing the difficult life in North Korea and the fear of crossing the border remained a trauma for North Korean defector women. However, examples of new commitments and practices that go beyond oneself are emerging through activities in Korea and relationships with people, meaning that hospitality and solidarity are needed to overcome mental boundaries. For North Korean defector women, the concept of boundaries meant new opportunities rather than prohibitions, driving the agency of crossing over.