The purpose of this study was to explore adaptation process of single-parents among North Korean refugees population to better understand their difficulties in adaptation and coping In South Korea. Ten single-parent families as a result of bereavement, divorce, and separation due to escaping from North Korea were interviewed. Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) was used and 2 main domains and 12 sub-domains were identified. The two main domains were 'challenges in adaptation' and 'adaptation mechanism'. The challenges in adaptation were in regard to 'economic instability associated with childrearing and preparation for later years', 'adaptation barriers as immigrant minorities', 'the childrearing's double burden of being a North Korean defector and single parent’, and 'stress due to recurrent family disorganization' The adaptation mechanism was regarding 'economic dependency', 'seeking for employment preparation opportunity that allows a grace period’, 'proactive help-seeking only for social capital', 'optimal utilization of childrearing support system', 'acceptance of life as a single parent and North Korean defector', 'positive thinking', 'strategic distancing from stress' and 'effort to restore health'. Based on the results, some implications were discussed and suggestions were provided for policy and program development for North Korean single-parent families.