In this study, through the in-depth interviews with North Korean Defectors from Pyongyang, the researcher studied the changes in the occupational identity of workers in Pyongyang centered on the July Measures for Improving Economic Measures.
The resea...
In this study, through the in-depth interviews with North Korean Defectors from Pyongyang, the researcher studied the changes in the occupational identity of workers in Pyongyang centered on the July Measures for Improving Economic Measures.
The research method used Mandelbaum analysis method during the life history research. The reason is that Mandelbaum's life history analysis understands the lives of North Koreans who have a multi-layered, clear and rapid turning point in their areas of life. It is one of the most appropriate methods for analysis.
This can ultimately contribute to the establishment of a support system for achieving social integration for Pyongyang workers in the process of unification, and is good for the study of the contextualization of the Gospel, which deals with the contact point between the Christian Gospel and the work identity of workers in Pyongyang. It is expected to provide the basis.
The purpose of this study is to clarify the occupational identity of workers in Pyongyang through life history research. First, what are the areas of life of workers in Pyongyang? Second, Second, what are the turning points of workers' lives in Pyongyang and what are the personal and social conditions that made them possible? Third, what was the unique way of adaptation for workers in Pyongyang?
Participants in this study experienced the July Measures, North Korean defectors who experienced work in Pyongyang, and selected those who currently live in South Korea. In-depth interviews were conducted using a network survey method that gradually expanded the subject from one person to the starting point. Five participants were selected based on these criteria.
The researcher prepared a questionnaire and started an in-depth interview with the research participants. The format of the questionnaire was prepared as a semi-structured open question and collected data that can be derived through the interview. In this study, integrated life analysis and categorical content analysis were used to extract common themes while highlighting the themes of life histories of five participants. Life history data were analyzed in order of Mandelbaum's dimensions of life, turnings, and adaptations.
The results of analyzing common themes by combining themes that penetrate the personal life history of five participants from the perspective of professional life are as follows. The common themes in the dimensions of life of the study participants were appeared as 「Life in Rapid Change of Economic Policy Change」, 「Transitional Life in Third Countries」, 「Life in South Korea as a Foothold for a New Beginning」, 「Religious Life in South Korea」. The turning points of the participants were can be summarized as 「The experiences of the July Measures」, 「Escaping North Korea under life and death」, 「Facing reality of North Korea in third countries」, 「Surviving in unfamiliar South Korea」, 「Changing the object of loyalty」. In the case of adaptation methods of the research participants could be integrated into 「Surviving with the background and money」 in life in North Korea, 「Accepting reality and making full use of market economy system」 in the July Measures, 「Living by survival instinct」 in overseas life, 「Setting goals and devote themselves」 in surviving in Korea, 「Holding the hand of God」 in the religious life in South Korea.
Taken together, the life history of the five research participants showed that the impact of the market economy, including the July Measures, can refer to the positive impact of creating autonomous, active and practical occupational identity on workers in Pyongyang. At the same time, we can mention the negative dimension that the influence of the July Measures and the market economy caused workers in Pyongyang to experience materialistic values and distortions in job choice. As a result, it can be said that the July Measures had an effect on the change of workers' identity in Pyongyang at both positive and negative levels.
Based on the research results, the researcher discussed the occupational identity of workers in Pyongyang through the life history of defectors. One is the formation of positive occupational identity and the other is the discussion of occupational identity after the July Measures.
Finally, based on this discussion, the researcher suggested a specific program to strengthen the work ethic along with the faith education of defectors in the church.