This study determined the factors that influence the fraud victimization of North Korean refugees. Previous studies on crime victimization by North Korean refugees have been insignificant, and there were very few studies on fraud victimization. Therefore, this study intended to contribute to the settlement of North Korean refugees in Korea society by examining the effects of structural choice factors, vulnerability factors, and acculturation factors on fraud victimization.
Of the 266 surveyed, 95 North Korean (35.71%) experienced crime victimization. Among them, the number of people who experienced fraud victimization was 73, the highest. This is significantly higher ratio than South Korean. As a result of negative binomial regression, guardianship, attractiveness and exposure were found to be statistically significant as structural choice factor. Age was also statistically significant as a vulnerability factor. Lastly, in terms of acculturation, the confidence of law, understanding of capitalism, and difficulty in adjusting to Korean society were statistically significant. In particular, as a result of examining the influence of two factors (vulnerability factor and acculturation factor), 'the maintenance of North Korean culture' had a significant result value, which showed 'age effect.'
Based on these findings, the following policy suggestions are presented. First, law education should be conducted quantitatively and qualitatively in order to enhance the credibility of North Korean refugees. Second, the government should built community networks by increasing social activities of North Korean refugees. Third, crime prevention education programs are needed for North Korean refugees especially for the senior group. Finally, the role of the police in charge of personal protection should be enhanced.
Although the limitations of the study due to the non-probability sampling method exist, this study tried to overcome the limitation through the allocation sampling method by age, gender, and region. Nevertheless, this study examined the applicability of structural choice theory, vulnerability model, and acculturation theory to North Korean refugees living in South Korea. It is worth as the first attempt to empirical study considering the acculturation characteristics of North Korean refugees.