북한이탈주민 ; 탈북자 ; 국가정체성 ; 적응 ; 통합 ; 근거이론 ; North Korean Refugee ; National Identity ; Adaptation ; Integration ; Ground Theory
Abstract
This study examined the process and the patterns of national identity formation among North Korean refugees in South Korea using a ground theory approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 North Korean refugees and analysed by grounded theory. Data were collected from in-depth interviews and observations until they were saturated. The interviews were analyzed according to the constant comparative method used in a grounded theory. Analysis included open coding , axial coding, and selective coding. The study derived 73 concepts, 23 subcategories, and 6 categories in open coding. Consequently, national identities of North Korean refugees are classified into “North Korean origin”, “South Korean with North Korean origin”, “South Korean Citizenship of post-North Korea”, and “post-national individualist”. The finding of the study suggested that further research is required regarding new national identities for unification of the Korea peninsula and preparation of integration of North Koreans and the South Koreans