2016 Theses Master's

North Korean Defectors in South Korea: A Study of the Relationship between Levels and Desirability of Spatial Assimilation and of Other Assimilation Indicators

Moon, Kaylee

South Korean government provides North Korean defectors subsidized long-term housing, and only 30% of defectors move out of the provided housing. Although there are rooms for financial savings from housing, 70% of defectors continue to live in subsidized housings. Is low level of spatial assimilation related to other makers of assimilation? Does desirability to spatially assimilate make difference in other markers of assimilation? Interviews and surveys were conducted. Despite the low level of spatial assimilation, defectors showed progress in other markers of assimilation, and those that desired to move out of housing showed higher levels of assimilation in all markers.