Joong Ang Daily
4/17/2007
Nearly seven out of every 10 North Korean defectors in South Korea are unemployed, while those with jobs earn less than half the minimum wage set by the government, a survey by a Seoul National University professor revealed yesterday.
According to a survey of 451 North Korean defectors conducted between August and September last year, 306 or over 67 percent were unemployed, while those with jobs earned an average hourly wage of only 1,560 won ($1.68).
The minimum wage set by the government is 3,480 won an hour.
The study, done by Park Sang-in, a professor of public administration studies, also showed over 60 percent of North Korean defectors find jobs through private job-consulting firms or their acquaintances, and only 16.2 percent, or 73 respondents, said they found work through government employment offices.
“[A large number of] North Korean defectors appeared to be losing interest in finding jobs due to repeated failure to find employment,” said the professor.
Over 10,000 North Koreans have defected to South Korea since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Each defector receives 6 million won upon arrival here in government resettlement support, and an additional 13 million won is available to each family for housing.
In addition, each defector can receive up to 15 million won over a period of three years if he or she is employed or going through job training during the period.
