A Comparative Analysis of Hana Foundation and Saejowi Medical Counseling Center Data from 2023
Medical support has emerged as a critical need for North Korean defectors (NKDs) living in South Korea, particularly in the Seoul urban and Gyeonggi province areas. As defectors navigate the challenges of integrating into a new society, the demand for accessible healthcare services is underscored by both the Hana Foundation's data and Saejowi's own records from 2023 which represent the total numbers of our four medical support centers.
This article highlights the necessity for medical services for NKDs, drawing on data from both organizations.
Saejowi’s Medical Services Data: A Snapshot of 2023
In 2023, Saejowi’s medical support centers handled 10,013 cases, with a significant portion consisting of follow-up visits (3,588) and received calls (3,580). Of these, 2,184 were male patients and 7,591 were female, indicating that a greater number of women sought medical assistance. Reasons for seeking help included medical counseling (1,206 cases), consultation counseling (1,781), and a smaller number of life, educational, and legal counseling cases.
Geographically, the majority of cases were from the Seoul urban area (3,707 cases), followed by Daejeon (1,639), Busan (1,434), and Gyeonggi province (822). This distribution reflects the larger concentration of NKDs in urban areas, especially in and around Seoul.
The Hana Foundation’s Insights: Medical Support as a Key Need
The Hana Foundation’s comprehensive data reveals the broader context of support needed for NKDs to adjust to life in South Korea. According to their findings, "Employment and Business Start-up Support" ranks as the top necessity, but medical support follows closely behind. In the Seoul region, 17.4% of respondents identified medical support as their most pressing need. This percentage rises significantly among those who have lived in Seoul for less than three years (39.5%) or between five to ten years (27.5%), suggesting that medical issues are a persistent concern among newer residents.
Similarly, in the Gyeonggi province, 16.9% of defectors expressed the need for medical assistance, a figure that climbs to 23.2% for those who have resided there for three to five years. This reflects a growing demand for medical services as defectors become more settled in South Korean society but still face challenges in accessing adequate healthcare.
A Focus on Mental and Physical Health
The importance of medical services is further highlighted when examining reasons for economic inactivity among NKDs. In Seoul, mental and physical disabilities were the top reasons cited (34.2%) for not being able to work, a sentiment echoed by both men (30.9%) and women (35.2%). In the Gyeonggi province, the figures are similarly high, with 29% of economically inactive NKDs attributing their inability to work to health issues.
These findings align with Saejowi’s data, which shows that many defectors are seeking regular medical consultations. The Hana Foundation’s report on reasons for job changes or early retirement further emphasizes the role of health concerns: mental and physical disorders were the leading cause of retirement in both Seoul (25%) and the Gyeonggi province (32.1%).
Disparities in Medical Need and Resource Allocation
The regional disparities in medical support needs are notable. For instance, while Gyeonggido’s NKDs cited childcare (24.1%) and regular working hours (17.4%) as more common reasons for working less than 36 hours a week, health issues were a more prominent factor in the Seoul urban area. This suggests that urban NKDs, particularly in Seoul, face more significant health challenges that impede their employment prospects, thus reinforcing the need for robust medical services. Saejowi operates two out of the four medical support centers in Seoul to tackle this need.
Furthermore, in terms of resources required for a better life, both Seoul and Gyeonggido defectors prioritize medical support after employment assistance. In Seoul, NKDs in their 50s (26.7%) and 60s (25%) even place medical support above employment, underscoring the importance of healthcare access for older defectors. A similar trend is observed in Gyeonggido, where those in their 50s and 60s are more likely to seek medical support than employment assistance.
Conclusion: A Call for Enhanced Medical Support
The combined data from Saejowi and the Hana Foundation paints a clear picture of the vital role that medical services play in the lives of North Korean defectors. While employment support remains a priority, medical assistance is increasingly recognized as a fundamental need, especially for those facing physical and mental health challenges that hinder their ability to work or integrate fully into South Korean society.
Given the high demand for medical support, particularly in the Seoul urban area, it is crucial for organizations like Saejowi to continue expanding their medical services. This includes addressing the specific needs of older defectors, who are disproportionately affected by health issues, and ensuring that newer residents receive timely and adequate healthcare support. By doing so, we can help NKDs lead healthier, more stable lives as they adjust to life in South Korea.
Sources:
Saejowi Medical Counseling Data 2023
2023년 북한이탈주민 정착실태조사 지역보고서(서울특별시 편)
2023년 북한이탈주민 정착실태조사 지역보고서(경기도 편)
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