이주민 관점에서 본 탈북민에 대한 인식의 변화와 목회돌봄적 시사점 = North Korean Defectors as Migrants: Changing Perception and Implications for Pastoral Care

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study examines the evolving perception of North Korean defectors in South Korean society by reframing them not merely as political refugees or recipients of state welfare, but as migrants—individuals undergoing complex journeys of displacement, identity negotiation, and cultural adaptation. Although they are legally granted citizenship based on shared ethnic lineage, their everyday experiences often reflect systemic marginalisation. This includes economic hardship, social isolation, and psychological distress, leading to a liminal existence between legal inclusion and social exclusion. Furthermore, it is crucial to recognize that not all North Korean migrants are Christians, a reality that challenges South Korean churches to move beyond simplistic evangelistic paradigms and instead engage in genuine, context-sensitive pastoral care.
Drawing on biblical concepts such as ger (גֵּר, “sojourner” or “resident alien”) in the Old Testament and paroikos (πάροικος, “foreigner” or “stranger”) in the New Testament, the study emphasizes that the church itself is fundamentally a community of exiles and pilgrims. This theological identity compels the church to recognize its own migrant nature and to practice radical hospitality toward those who likewise dwell in-between homes and identities. It is from this shared status as spiritual sojourners that authentic solidarity can emerge—not as an act of charity from the powerful to the weak, but as a mutual acknowledgment of vulnerability, hope, and journey.
Importantly, this study addresses the persistent issue of othering within church communities—a process by which North Korean defectors are viewed as fundamentally different, deficient, or even burdensome. Such perspectives not only hinder integration but also contradict the inclusive ethos of the Gospel. By deconstructing this tendency and replacing it with a theology of mutual embrace, the church is better positioned to minister to North Korean migrants in a manner that respects their dignity and nurtures their healing.
Ultimately, the paper calls for a renewed pastoral imagination that sees migration as a divine invitation—an opportunity to embody the Gospel through presence, accompaniment, and the creation of communities of belonging. In doing so, the church moves from being a mere provider of aid to becoming a fellow pilgrim community that reflects the heart of God for the displaced and the marginalised.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• I. 서론 1
• 1. 연구목적 1
• 2. 연구배경 2
• 3. 연구방법 8
• II. 탈북민에 대한 인식과 변화의 필요성 10
• 1. 한국사회의 탈북민 인식 변화와 타자화 10
• 2. 탈북민의 자기인식과 정체성 형성 요인 13
• 3. 북한이주민 1.5세대의 정체성과 인식 변화의 과제 17
• III. 이주민 관점에서 본 탈북민에 대한 이해 22
• 1. 인식의 전환: 탈북민을 ‘이주민’으로 바라본다는 것 22
• 2. 성서 속 이주민 개념 24
• 3. 나그네 공동체로서의 북한이주민 성도와 한국교회 29
• IV. 북한이주민에 대한 인식의 변화에 앞장서는 한국교회 33
• 1. 인식 변화의 주체로서의 한국교회 33
• 2. 타자화 극복을 위한 신학적 성찰과 목회적 책임 33
• 3. 북한이주민 환대와 세대별 동행 전략 37
• V. 목회돌봄적 시사점 40
• 1. 이주민 관점에 기초한 목회돌봄의 방향성 40
• 2. 환대의 공동체를 향한 한국교회의 목회돌봄 모델 43
• 3. 북한이주민 공동체 동행 사례와 목회돌봄적 함의 44
• VI. 결론 50
• 1. 연구의 요약 50
• 2. 연구의 의의 및 한계 51
• 3. 향후 연구를 위한 목회상담적 제언 52
• VII. 참고문헌 54
• VIII. Abstract 65