자원봉사자들의 탈북자 지원 경험 분석 : 설문 결과를 중심으로

Abstract

Objectives: Since 1994, the number of North Korean defectors, escaping North Korea and entering South Korea, has increased rapidly. The Government has provided most of the support for the defectors` adaptation to their new society. But as the number of defectors has increased, and the support needs have become more various, the support of volunteers from non-governmental organization (NGO) has become very important. To raise the level of the success and effectiveness of the support from the volunteers, their experiences were surveyed and analyzed. Methods: This study surveyed 83 volunteers of 7 NGOs involved in helping North Korean defectors` adaptation to South Korean society-48 men and 34 women. Results: In their relationships with defectors, women volunteers have more difficulties in their first 3 months. However volunteers in their 50s and 60s tend to have more stable and better relationships with defectors than younger volunteers. Many volunteers statedexperiences of human difficulties with defectors, for example, mistrust and anxiety in human relationship (n=34, 41.0%), psychological maladjustment (n=19, 22.9%), different ways of thinking and culture (n=17, 20.5%), economic difficulties (n=10, 12.0%), and lack of independence spirit (n=6, 7.2%). The volunteers said they have feelings of goodwill toward defectors when defectors showed warm heart (n=30, 36.1%), politeness (n=30, 36.1%), positive and active character (n=24, 28.9%), strong will (n=17, 20.5%), and plainness (n=14, 16.0%). The volunteers stated an absence of goodwill feelings to defectors when defectors showed uncompromising and aggressive attitudes (n=29, 34.9%), lack of independent will (n=28, 33.7%), selfishness (n=18, 21.7%), and avoidance of making human relationship (n=16, 19.3%). As for adequate training before commencing activity, 5 volunteers (6.0%) said they had received enough education before their activity, 31(37.3%) relatively enough, 38 (45.8%) relatively not enough, and 9 (10.8%) absolutely not enough education. If they were the owners of a company, 27 volunteers (51 .9%) said they would want to hire defectors even if the defectors did not have the required ability. Conclusion: These results showed that NGO`s volunteers have a friendlier attitude to defectors than policemen in charge and public officials, which is their strong point. Women volunteers experience more difficulties in their early relationships with defectors, suggesting the need for a specific pre-education program for women volunteers. Furthermore, NGOs would benefit from an increase in the number of volunteers in their 50`s and 60`s. Both volunteers and defectors need to understand each other to a deeper extent and the characteristics to which South Korean volunteers feel goodwill need to be used in their education.