As part of an effort to redefine the identity of North Korean studies, this study analyzes research trends in Master’s and Doctoral dissertations published in South Korea prior to 2008. The analysis verifies its multidisciplinary characteristics as an area studies, diversity of research areas and subjects, and quantitative and qualitative development; as such, effective management of the related department and systematic activities of relevant scholarly societies provide a new opportunity for systematically improving the quality of North Korean studies. Establishing roots as an independent discipline and establishing its identity requires advancements in three aspects: vitalization and expansion of support for North Korean studies at the government level, long-term support for systematic management of the related curriculum at the university level, and revitalization of the research on more various areas by the academic needs at the academic level. Most importantly, efforts to reduce perception gaps in identity among scholars are vital.