Determinants of Happiness among North Korean Defectors after Resettlement in South Korea

• 발행기관: 서울대학교 경제연구소
• 저자명: Byung-Yeon Kim Seung-ho Jung Seong Hee Kim
• 간행물 정보: 『Seoul Journal of Economics』Volume 38 No.4, 405~436쪽, 전체 32쪽
• 주제분류: 경제경영 > 경제학
• 파일형태: PDF
• 발행일자: 2025.11.30

국문 초록

This study investigates the determinants of happiness among North Korean defectors by analyzing the subjective and objective measures of social class. Using survey data of North Korean defectors living in South Korea, this study explores how social class before and after defection is associated with defectors’ happiness. Results show that subjective and objective economic status in South Korea are positively associated with happiness, whereas higher predefection status (especially Workers’ Party membership) is negatively associated with it. Defectors who perceived themselves as lower class in North Korea tend to report greater happiness post-defection. Findings suggest that improving material conditions alone may be insufficient to enhance the well-being of North Korean defectors.

목차

I. Introduction

II. Literature Review

III. Hypothesis

IV. Data and Empirical Models

V. Regression Results

VI. Conclusion

References

키워드

North Korean Defectors Happiness Social Comparison Objective Social Class Subjective Class Perception

참고문헌

• Humanities and Social Science Communications
• International Migration
• Social Indicators Research
• Migration Studies
• Frontiers in Human Dynamics
• Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
• In Nations and Households in Economic Growth
• Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization
• Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization
• Journal of Social Science Studies
• Seoul Journal of Economics
• The Korean Journal of Economic Studies
• Unification and Peace
• The Journal of Development Studies
• Anxiety and Mood
• Migration Studies
• Asian Survey
• Korea Institute for National Unification
• European Journal of Psychotraumatology
• Frontiers in Sociology
• Journal of the Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
• Asian Economic Policy Review