Young adult North Korean defectors (hereafter, North Korean millennials [NKMs]) are a growing and distinctive group. Even though they constitute the majority of defectors and show different characteristics from previous generations, relatively little attention has been paid to NKMs in both academic and practical areas. Specifically, little is known about how NKMs develop their career paths in South Korea. This study examines the process of NKMs’ career development activities, focusing on their challenges, structural tensions (contradictions) within the activities, and their learning from the process of resolving difficulties under the lens of cultural–historical activity theory (CHAT). This ethnographic study not only broadens understandings about NKMs but also elucidates their career development situation in South Korea. The findings of this study provide meaningful and practical suggestions to create a road map of career development for NKMs and implications for career development of migrants, refugees, and internally displaced persons.

年轻的成年朝鲜叛逃者（以下称朝鲜千禧一代[NKM]）是一个成长中的独特群体。尽管它们构成叛逃者的大多数，并且表现出与前几代人不同的特征，但在学术和实践领域对NKM的关注相对较少。具体而言，对于NKM如何在韩国发展职业道路知之甚少。这项研究考察了NKM的职业发展活动的过程，重点关注其挑战，活动中的结构紧张（矛盾）以及他们在文化历史活动理论（CHAT）的指导下从解决困难的过程中学习。这项民族志研究不仅扩大了对NKM的理解，而且阐明了NKM在韩国的职业发展状况。