For a growing number of North Korean defectors to South Korea, the stark reality of capitalism might offset their long-held dream of living in a free, affluent country.
In a capitalistic society like South Korea, a measure of freedom and independence can come only with ability to compete for decent jobs and willingness to adapt to new circumstances.
"They have a sheer illusion that if they arrive in South Korea, the people will treat them well. But they get disillusioned soon, and their lives get devastated if they don't try hard to adapt themselves," said Kim Seung-chul, a researcher at the Institute of North Korea Studies.
The total number of North Korean defectors will likely top 10,000 sometime this year, according to government officials.
So far, 9,265 North Koreans have settled down in the South after finishing all the procedures and obtaining social security numbers, while some 400 are receiving adaptive education at a state-run institute. More than 500 defectors are currently under the custody of South Korean embassies or consulates in Thailand, Mongolia and other countries.
"This year, a lot more North Koreans will likely escape and attempt to come to the South because the food situation is expected to worsen following the missile and nuclear device tests," said a senior official at a Seoul-based aid group for the defectors on condition of anonymity.
Since heavy floods hit the North in the mid-1990s, the annual number of North Korean defectors reached double digits and in 1999 it swelled to a triple-digit level. In 2002, as many as 1,139 defectors arrived in the South, a sharp rise from 583 the previous year, government data showed.
"In the past, we provided direct help, or unilaterally protective aid, but the policy is shifting to an indirect one aimed at helping them stand on their own. The government will provide more job training and employment opportunities," a Unification Ministry official said, asking to remain anonymous.
Since 2005, South Korea has introduced an incentive system for North Korean defectors on the basis of their performance in job training and the level of adaptation, aside from the money provided to help them settle in the South.
But the prevailing sentiment among the defectors is that they cannot survive in the South only with government subsidies or state-offered jobs.
"What matters is attitude. They should make efforts to understand the South Korean society and prepare themselves for competition," said Kim Young-hee, 43, president of an aid group for North Korean defectors.
Park Cheol-yong, 32, who fled the North and arrived here in 2002, had difficulties adapting to the different work culture, but he decided to soldier on, believing that he would have a chance to get recognition after years of experience.
"The cultural differences are far greater than expected, but I tried hard to overcome the problem by adjusting to new circumstances," said Park, who works at a stationery company.
Park, who is married with a three-year-old son, graded himself "mediocre" in the level of adaptation and expressed hope that life will get much better here as time goes by.
"Life will be much more difficult if I quit the job so easily because of the stress I get from work now. I will do my best to succeed," said Park, who works for the sales of stationery in the morning and delivers stationery in the afternoon.
Seoul, Jan. 11 (Yonhap News)
N. Korean defectors shift attitude to adapt to capitalism |
