The Korean Government is supporting many things to help North Korean refugees’ settlement. Most government support for North Korean refugees has been implemented through Hana Center. Chungbuk Hana Center is managing Region Adjustment Education and Follow-up Service. Region Adjustment Education is given to North Korean refugees who were assigned to Chungbuk after finishing Hanawon's education and transferred from Chungbuk to other regions. This education is composed of a schedule for 10 days. Follow-up Service is composed of support for going on to school, living, medical, mental security, legal and social adaptation. Chungbuk Hana Center is executing Area Resident Exchange Programs as a one-time business. This business is that North Korean refugees attend ceremonies with residents to assimilate in the local communities.

 

However, despite the support, North Korean refugees have many problems when they settle in South Korea. According to ‘Basic Analysis Report about North Korean Refugees Living Condition Survey in 2011,’ 45.7% of refugees’ standard of living is lower class. Their unemployment rate is 12%, and the economically inactive population rate is 43.5%. This result is far higher than South Korean’s unemployment rate of 3.7% and economically inactive population rate of 39% from the same period of time. Even if they find employment, about 50% of refugees work as simple laborers.

The reasons for this situation are that the vocational education time is lacking and North Korea’s careers are mostly not recognized in South Korea. Mr. A, who entered South Korea from North Korea last year, said, “Young people who have a strong constitution also have many difficulties about employment. People who are old or feel bad have no option but to have more difficulties because they only live by the absolute standard of living that the government provides in those circumstances.”

Many refugees have trouble such as a culture gap, a language gap and South Korean’s disregard after finding employment. Mr. B, who is a social worker of Chungbuk Hana Center which is located in Korean National Red Cross in Hyuam-dong, said, “North Korean refugees need more time to learn working skills than South Koreans because the refugees’ work methods in North Korea differ from the demanding methods in South Korea. However, many companies don’t understand this and ignore it. Many refugees get distress in the companies and leave.”

Meanwhile, Mr. B said North Korean refugees have the same problems that South Koreans have. It gives refugees an obstacle to settle in South Korea if they lack will about employment and have an overwhelming belief that they can solve every problem if they only enter South Korea. Mr. B said, “Many North Korean refugees think their lives will completely be changed if they go to South Korea. Therefore, while living in South Korea, they have difficulty because of the gap between thinking about South Korea and the reality of South Korea.” The reasons for this situation are South Korea’s free economic support and a lack of will to shed their reliance on a society that distribute everything. North Korean refugees who are not employed live by resettlement funds and cash wages of National Basic Living Security Act. However, this support is stopped if they find jobs. They don't struggle to make an adjustment or to find their jobs because around 300,000 won per month is provided as living expenses and they can live in rental house thanks to government support.

About these difficulties, Mr. B said, “I think the causes of these difficulties are South Korean’s neglect and prejudice. Employers who employ North Korean refugees should recognize that adjusting their lives is difficult. Employers need to wait refugees, support working education and give a little period to adjust like probationary employees. South Koreans should recognize that they are not different from us, and North Korean refugees should take job education and life adjustment education through Hana center or interagency coordination. North Korean refugees should rapidly recognize that South Korea is different from North Korea and find their niche. They also need to try to adjust to South Korean life. The Korean government should make programs that substantially help North Korean refugees.

Finally, Mr. A gave advice to new North Korean refugees, “I think we can be happy if we diligently try. I also think it is most important to adjust to South Korea by diligently trying than by being the best.