The purpose of this study was to analyze a qualitative research on the essential structure of the acculturation of North Korean defectors, who settled in South Korea. The participants in this study were nine North Korean defectors who had resided in the city of D, South Korea, for three years or more after defecting from North Korea. After an in-depth interview, collected data were analyzed by applying Colaizzi's phenomenological method. As a result, their acculturation were classified into

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... e categories : 'heterogeneity coming from different cultures', 'undergoing various sufferings after defection', and 'trying to tide over the difficulties in the actuality'. And 11 clusters of theme were selected. It's basically meant in this study to find out problems North Korean Defectors encountered and their process of overcoming the difficulties in an effort to step up the acculturation of the new settlers and ease their difficulties. And it's suggested that adjustment programs should be provided for them to fit into South Korean society.