It is anticipated that mass refugees from North Korea can happen in the process of Korean
reunification. In this paper, the author reviewed the adaptational and mental health problems of
refugees, especially Indochinese refugees, and discussed several topics which could be problems of
Korea. Great adaptational differences between social classes in Vietnamese refugees were noted,
therefore it is suggested that different resocialization program should be prepared for each social class
of North Korea. General problems of refugees are found to be broken family problems, conflict in
family due to role conversion, attitude of mass media in dealing with refugees, problems of education
for living and difficulties with establishing the effective helping system. Therefore, in the
resocialization program, the above problems besides economic support should be considered in Korea.
Also, refugees were reported to have severe mental problems especially depression, anxiety,
posttraumatic stress disorder, dissociation, etc. And refugees usually are afraid of expressing their
psychiatric problems and meeting with psychiatrists. South Korean psychiatrists should know about
the characteristics of North Korean people and develop adequate approaching and interviewing
techniques and treatment plan. As the South and North Korea have had very different systems for 50
years, it should be very difficult and important to make the two people adapt and harmonize in new
unified society.