북한이탈주민 영유아 자녀 양육지원 강화 방안

Abstract

This study suggests a plan for the provision of Early Childhood Support for North Korean Migrants' Children based on data collected via interviews and surveys which reveals the problems faced by North Korean migrant families The results of this study are as follows. North Korean migrant families have a few common characteristics such as 1) their experience offinancial hardship, 2) feeling restrained to become legally married due to living wages and 3) their financial situation determining their emotional and psychological well-being. For example, mothers who are financially independent are more satisfied with their marriage, have a higher sense of self-worth, and are less depressed. North Korean migrant families can be classified as either 'Famine Evasion Type' or 'Plan Type'. ‘The Famine Evasion Types’ have tended to linger for a long period of time in a third country (usually China) beforehand, because they had no plans to migrate to South Korea in the first place. The ‘Plan Type’, in comparison, stay in the third country for a relatively short period because their main goal is to come to South Korea. 70.4% of North Korean migrants' Children were born in South Korea. Children who were born in North Korea or in China often suffer due to their poor linguistic and physical development. North Korean migrant families are living together in residential areas where disabled or old people live, which is why children from such families have few chances to socialize with South Koreans, fewer educational opportunities and are more likely to develop aggressive tendencies, according to day care center presidents interviewed in this study, who often stated that children in North Korean migrants families tend to be aggressive and tend not to form personal relationships with other children in their age group. North Korean migrant families who are recent arrivals are aware of support services, and are satisfied with them, whereas migrants who arrived in South Korea five years ago often do not know about the new support services, especially l low-income child care support initiatives, such as Dream Start, and WeStart, etc. The following policies are suggested: 1) A legal definition of the term ‘North Korean Migrant’ is required, 2) ① Parents’ education as regards daily routine and HaNaWon should be provided, ② Assistance should be provided so that practical employment can be obtained, ③ A support service should be provided for people who have completed the five-year period of protection, 3) the participation of the president and teachers in Regional Councils for North Korean migrants should be initiated, 4) contact must be established between low-income Child Support Initiatives and North Korean Migrant families, 5) Korean education programs for children who were born in North Korea or China should be provided, 6) the issue of the locations in which North Korean migrant families are concentrated should be reviewed.