A Study on the Korean Pronunciation Pattern and Perception of North Korean Refugees

Objectives The purpose of this study is to help North Korean defectors settle in Korean society by analyzing the realization pattern and perception of Korean pronunciation for North Korean defectors and considering pronunciation education plans. Methods Accordingly, North Korean defectors who have settled in Korean society were interviewed to confirm differences in pronunciation and the necessity of education. Since the specificity of North Korean defectors was premised, qualitative research was conducted through the subjects. Results As a result, it was confirmed that North Korean defectors had difficulty living in Korean language, which was caused by ‘Chinese and foreign language use, accent differences, word differences, language etiquette and speech differences, pronunciation differences, and psychological atrophy’. In addition, the difference in Korean utterances of North Korean defectors was large in consonants and phonological rules, and vowels were weak. In particular, it was confirmed that there was a difference from pronunciation in Korea because cypress, palatine, ㄴ addition, and head law were not recognized as phonological rules in North Korea, so they were not marked and educated. Conclusions Through the research results, the goals and contents of Korean language education for North Korean defectors can be specified in the future and practical effects can be enhanced.