“Settling in Seoul” is a new NK News series in which North Korean defectors share their experiences adapting to life in South Korea.

In this week’s column, Sersong Han — who lived in North Korea until he defected in 2014 — writes about his time at the Settlement Support Center for North Korean Refugees, better known as Hanawon.

I think if I had to express in a word what I’ve struggled to understand about South Korean society as a North Korean defector, it would probably be the concept of “unity.” The DPRK, where we defectors used to live, is a