Date of Award

January 2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Kaveh Khoshnood

Second Advisor

Alice Miller

Abstract

North Korean defectors in South Korea face complex challenges that extend beyond initial resettlement, particularly in navigating health, education, and social integration. While state-led systems provide structural support, less is known about how these services are experienced in practice and the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in bridging these gaps.

This study employs a qualitative, observational design drawing on semi-structured interviews, informal conversations, and participant observation conducted during the summer of 2025 within NGO-based educational and support settings in Seoul. Using an inductive thematic analysis, this study examines how these environments shape health navigation, well-being, and integration among North Korean defectors.

Findings identify three primary themes: (1) NGOs as sources of emotional support and community, (2) NGOs as pathways for skill-building and structural mobility, and (3) alternative forms of connection were available through arts and community-based spaces. These findings suggest that while state systems provide structural support, NGOs function as essential intermediary institutions that uniquely translate these systems into accessible, relational, and usable forms of support.

This study further highlights the importance of integration as a multidimensional process shaped by structural, relational, and individual factors, including gendered experiences and mental health stigma. These findings have implications for public health and policy, emphasizing the need for more holistic, coordinated, and culturally responsive approaches to support North Korean defectors in South Korea.

Comments

This thesis is restricted to Yale network users only. It will be made publicly available on 03/16/2027

Download

Share

COinS