A Study on the Key Factors that Affect Crime Victimization Experience of New Setters of North Korea

• In Event: Theory Based Victimology

Abstract

This study aims to examine the crucial factors that are associated with victimization of North Korean defectors who moved into South Korea. The North Korean new settlers have had tremendous difficulties in adjusting into South Korean society which has capitalistic economy. Furthermore, language barriers and cultural difference might influence them to be victimized in South Korea. The present study used routine activity approach and general theory of low self-control in order to investigate the key factors that might be associated with victimization of North Korean defectors. The present study conducted survey toward 63 North Korean new settlers in order to find the crucial factors that affect the crime victimization experience of the North Korean new settlers. Logistic regression analysis was conducted by using IBM SPSS Statistics 21 package program. Result demonstrated that the maladjustment score of defectors was statistically significant factor in accounting for the odds of being victimized when other variables were controlled. Moreover, gender(male) was significant factors that were associated with the odds of becoming fraud victims when other variables were constant. Further policy implications will be discussed.

■ Keyword: North Korean new settlers, crime victimization, types of crime victimization, defectors, self-control theory

Authors

• Younoh Cho, Dongguk University

• Hyoseon Ju, Dongguk University