Dear editor,
Recently, I read a column entitled "Let's embrace North Korean defectors,'' written by The Korea Times Executive Managing Director Lee Chang-sup. I couldn't agree with him more, especially about his conclusion in the article which, in brief, reads, "We South Koreans need to understand defectors' plights in order to establish a harmonious society."
As of 2014, about 25,000 defectors are living in South Korea with hopes for a new and better life. However, there still exist many barriers, both visible and invisible, that have dampened the defectors' aspirations. Open discrimination and dismissive contempt for North Koreans can be easily found in the workplace; and public antagonism, fueled by many South Koreans' belief that taxes are unnecessarily wasted on aiding defectors, is not uncommon. I personally witnessed one of my neighbors harshly scorning a North Korea defector for no good reason.
Disenchanted with the South's unforgiving social environment that they find unfavorable, some defectors have chosen to resort to extreme activities such as crime; some even went as far as to make their way back to North Korea. It seems that South Korea's social perceptions of its Northern countrymen must change as soon as possible in order to prevent and reduce discrimination.
Of all the plights defectors face, the greatest concern is teenagers from North Korea. So far, a lot of news reports have been made on those being ostracized by their peers in schools for differences in their accent and expression. Given that teenage students are the most psychologically susceptible to their peer group's treatment of them, thereby getting hurt much more easily, special attention should be given to the young defectors to make sure they lead lives as decent members of our society instead of social outcasts among their classmates.
Having said that, defectors should also do their part, as Mr. Lee stated in his column. Although South and North Koreans have language and traditions as a common denominator, adjusting to a different society and mingling with those having a bipolar ideology will never be easy. In spite of these harsh situations and conditions, however, some former North Koreans have successfully acclimated themselves to South Korea and now stand on their own feet. They must do their best to fit in with their fellow compatriots and refrain from glorifying the North's oppressive regime and its former and current dictators. They also should know that without attempting to get through the difficulties, they can hardly become better off in a capitalistic society.
In addition, the authorities must not let up, even for a second, when it comes to finding spies among defectors. It is widely known that Pyeongyang has frequently dispatched its agents across the border. Previous reports on a female spy who tried to obtain military secrets from officials show why it is important to keep our guard up against possible defector imposters who try to infiltrate South Korea for the purpose of gathering intelligence.
Yun Joo-seong
Studuent at Chungnam National University
Recently, I read a column entitled "Let's embrace North Korean defectors,'' written by The Korea Times Executive Managing Director Lee Chang-sup. I couldn't agree with him more, especially about his conclusion in the article which, in brief, reads, "We South Koreans need to understand defectors' plights in order to establish a harmonious society."
As of 2014, about 25,000 defectors are living in South Korea with hopes for a new and better life. However, there still exist many barriers, both visible and invisible, that have dampened the defectors' aspirations. Open discrimination and dismissive contempt for North Koreans can be easily found in the workplace; and public antagonism, fueled by many South Koreans' belief that taxes are unnecessarily wasted on aiding defectors, is not uncommon. I personally witnessed one of my neighbors harshly scorning a North Korea defector for no good reason.
Disenchanted with the South's unforgiving social environment that they find unfavorable, some defectors have chosen to resort to extreme activities such as crime; some even went as far as to make their way back to North Korea. It seems that South Korea's social perceptions of its Northern countrymen must change as soon as possible in order to prevent and reduce discrimination.
Of all the plights defectors face, the greatest concern is teenagers from North Korea. So far, a lot of news reports have been made on those being ostracized by their peers in schools for differences in their accent and expression. Given that teenage students are the most psychologically susceptible to their peer group's treatment of them, thereby getting hurt much more easily, special attention should be given to the young defectors to make sure they lead lives as decent members of our society instead of social outcasts among their classmates.
Having said that, defectors should also do their part, as Mr. Lee stated in his column. Although South and North Koreans have language and traditions as a common denominator, adjusting to a different society and mingling with those having a bipolar ideology will never be easy. In spite of these harsh situations and conditions, however, some former North Koreans have successfully acclimated themselves to South Korea and now stand on their own feet. They must do their best to fit in with their fellow compatriots and refrain from glorifying the North's oppressive regime and its former and current dictators. They also should know that without attempting to get through the difficulties, they can hardly become better off in a capitalistic society.
In addition, the authorities must not let up, even for a second, when it comes to finding spies among defectors. It is widely known that Pyeongyang has frequently dispatched its agents across the border. Previous reports on a female spy who tried to obtain military secrets from officials show why it is important to keep our guard up against possible defector imposters who try to infiltrate South Korea for the purpose of gathering intelligence.
Yun Joo-seong
Studuent at Chungnam National University
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