Unification Is Healing : Psychiatric Contemplation of Korean Peninsula Division and Unification / 신경정신의학

Koreans have repeatedly experienced societal traumas, of which Korean Peninsula division and 6.25 are the greatest sources of trauma. Such division and the Korean War have destroyed the concept of "nation community," "town community," and "rational community" in the Korean people. Thus, Korean people have come to 1) live in a society with no recognition of community, 2) obsession with extreme ideologism, 3) lower ability to resolve conflict making societal dissension more serious. For the healing of this trauma, the following projects are needed : 1) foreign case analysis of societal trauma healing, 2) analysis of each subject and healing, 3) rebuilding of nation, town, and ration community in Korean society, 4) creation of artwork that gives introspection to division and its sublimation, 5) take the challenge to sublimate suffering in order to create a higher mental state of individual and society. Thus, the professional role of a psychiatrist is important. First, administer professional treatment to those in need of medical psychiatric help who are suffering from societal trauma resulting from division. Second, grasp the mental and societal difficulties and special help needed for the various traumas. Third, help in creation of artwork dealing with the pain of division. Fourth, create a more culturally sensitive and appropriate psychiatric support method for North Korean Refugees in South Korea. Fifth, help in sublimating pain and finding meaning and maturation through it. It is important to acknowledge that "Unification is Healing."

A Seven-Year Panel Study on North Korean Defectors Perception and Satisfaction on Life in South Korea / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: North Korean defectors' comprehension of South Korean society and satisfaction with their lives in South Korea both symbolize their adaptation to their new society. The current report is an analysis of three serial panel studies of 200 North Korean defectors who entered South Korea in 2000. METHODS: From February 2009 to March 2009, we interviewed 121 defectors face-to-face. RESULTS: The results showed that the participant's satisfaction level had been relatively well-maintained, and their understanding of the South Korean culture and language had increased. However, their attitudes toward fellow North Korean defectors had worsened. Their satisfaction level with government support for medical care was very low. Gender, age, level of education in North Korea, Communist Party membership, completion of military service, and current employment status had significant influences on their interpretation and understanding of South Korea. CONCLUSION: The results suggest creating North Korean defector self-help groups, strengthening the medical support system, developing programs tailored according to defectors' different backgrounds, gender, age, and educational levels, as well as increasing South Koreans' awareness of these North Koreans through a appropriate campaign, will be necessary for the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula.

Adjustment of North Korean Defectors in South Korea / 신경정신의학

The authors interviewed with 21 North Korean defectors who detected from North Korea in 1990-1995 and investigated their adjustment to South Korean society. The main categories of their problems in adjustment were a poor social network, financial difficulties, problems in social competency, problems resulting from their indoctrinated way of thinking, some psychological problems such as excessive self-consciousness and guilty feelings, and some social-structural problems such as poor education system in the government shelter. But, generally speaking, inspite of their problems, they have adjusted to South Korea society rather successfully In the view of short term adjustment, the reasons for their success were thought to be the characteristics and merits of a capitalistic economy ; their compliant personalities resulting from an educational system that emphasized obedience to authority and Kim Il Sung, and the dualism of North Korean lifts. Four points were discussed to assist a successful adjustment in the long term ; Fostering of the ability to make individual choices with internal principles, overcoming a judgemental, moralizing attitude, overcoming of overfull thought centered attitude and rebounding thought-lacking attitude, overcoming the effect of negative collectivism. Three things have been suggested to foster their healthy adjustment ; development and running of resocialization program for the each period of settlement ; building up a network of accessible support organizations who work for the adjustment of defectors ; systemic studies of North Korean people and defecters for the successful adjustment to unified Korean society. It is said that the division of Korean people has been the most tragic thing happen to Korea. But there can be a greater tragedy and that would be the unification of land but not the unification of people. failure to understand the real problems of the North Korean population can potentially produce conflicts and confusion which can only lead to funker re-division and greater tragedy. It is very important to study the adjustment to problems of North Korean defectors to help prepare far the unification of the Korean people.