Navigating relationship-building among young North Korean defectors in South Korea: From structural isolation to strategic connections

Abstract

This study explores the social relationship experiences of young North Korean defectors (YNKDs) in South Korea, focusing on the challenges they face in the process. Drawing on in-depth interviews and egocentric network survey, it identifies multidimensional barriers to relationship-building. By integrating narrative insights and network typologies, it reveals how structural constraints shape complex forms of isolation, while also highlighting YNKDs’ voluntary efforts. The findings show that the governmental resettlement support system reinforces a North–South hierarchy, hindering the formation of equal relationships with South Korean society. Yet YNKDs are not merely passive under such conditions; they assign meaning to their relationships and strategically navigate even isolation to pursue their goals. In contrast to previous studies that emphasize maladjustment, this study highlights YNKDs’ capacity to build connections by mobilizing both institutional support and resources embedded in their networks. These findings suggest that social isolation is a provisional, context-dependent condition that can be transformed through inclusive social changes.