Contours of Care: A Qualitative Cross-Cultural Examination of Psychological and Social Support for Refugees in South Korea and West Germany

Integrating North Korean refugees into South Korean society is becoming increasingly challenging due to often unrecognised psychological and social disorders that impede successful adaptation. A comparative analysis of Korean and German histories shows striking similarities between the migration movements after the Second World War. This interview study examines the applicability of German integration strategies to the Korean context. A qualitative methodology was employed, involving open, semi-standardised, and problem-oriented expert interviews. This approach was instrumental in eliciting detailed insights and perspectives from experts in the field, ensuring a thorough exploration of the research questions. Findings show that both countries rely predominantly on financial and material assistance, with limited focus on psychological, social, and medical care. While there are striking similarities in migration movements, differences in political contexts and temporal factors make it difficult to directly apply the German experiences to the Korean integration process. Therefore, our study offers general recommendations for providing psychological and social support to North Korean refugees, acknowledging the necessity for context-specific strategies.