새터민의 취업과 직장생활 갈등에 관한 연구

Abstract

A Study on Conflicts in workplace of North Korean RefugeesThis study focuses on analyzing and interpreting difficulties that North Korean refugees have experienced on the job and in workplace in South Korean society from their perspectives. By conducting in-depth interviews with 28 North Korean refugees and 7 interface personnel, this research examines the following questions: What the difficulties and conflicts are North Korean refugees have experienced on the job and in their workplace; how they perceive these difficulties themselves; and what South Koreans' perspectives are toward these issues.Being protected as a regular worker is extremely difficult for North Korean refugees. In addition, they have also experienced the suspension of past careers they had in North Korea. North Korean refugees are subjected to go through the following difficulties such as experiencing conflict due to language difference, insufficient computer and English skills, different labor intensities and regulations between the two Koreas, prevailing indifference and competitiveness at workplace, different ways of communication, and South Koreans' prejudiced and negative views against them.Difficulties and conflicts North Korean refugees have experienced on the job and in workplace cannot be resolved by relying only on their unilateral adaptation and assimilation. South Koreans' adaptation toward them is also critical, and in this regard, education to broaden mutual understanding between South and North Koreans has its important meaning as preventive measures and positive solutions toward the conflicts.