DOCSLIB.ORG

Mediating Globalization: an Ethnography of the “English Problem” Through North Koreans’ English Learning with South Korean Evangelicals

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Mediating Globalization: an Ethnography of the “English Problem” Through North Koreans’ English Learning with South Korean Evangelicals MEDIATING GLOBALIZATION: AN ETHNOGRAPHY OF THE “ENGLISH PROBLEM” THROUGH NORTH KOREANS’ ENGLISH LEARNING WITH SOUTH KOREAN EVANGELICALS by Eun-Yong Kim A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto © Copyright by Eun-Yong Kim 2017 Mediating globalization: An ethnography of the “English problem” through North Koreans’ English learning with South Korean evangelicals Doctor of Philosophy, 2017 Eun-Yong Kim Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning University of Toronto Abstract This ethnography examines the place of English in South Korea through the experience of North Korean migrants in South Korean evangelical institutions. The central thesis is that English in South Korea is both i) a terrain where the tensions in/ of the globalizing (divided) nation-state play out, and ii) a means of mediating those tensions. A central characteristic about the place of English in the South Korean state is the contradiction between the rise of an English testing system for social selection and the limited use of English for everyday communication. This shows the tensions of the neoliberal state, which include notably the tensions between i) globalization and Korean nationalism, and between ii) social stratification and democracy. The English testing system, at the same time, neutralizes these tensions by achieving to a certain extent the competing interests on both sides of the tensions. ii Evangelicals‟ educational institutions for North Korean students are mediating spaces for the North Korean young adults who are directly impacted by the state tensions. They do so by allowing the students to be i) both Korean (national) and English-speaking/ learning (global), and ii) both “North Koreans” (other) and fellow Koreans (us). The evangelicals‟ English teaching practices work to mediate their own tension between “helping and evangelizing” (Varghese & Johnston, 2007), because English learning is valuable for both neoliberal and evangelical self-development and thus meets the interests of both the evangelicals and the North Koreans. For the North Korean migrants in South Korea, they face the tension between being a South Korean (by citizenship) and not being a South Korean (by cultural habitus). That is, they are given, on one hand, political significance and social advantages through nationalistic/ evangelical institutions (e.g., English support programs particularly for North Koreans), but, on the other hand, they experience barriers in the neoliberal competition (e.g. English testing system). English, however, served as resource for constructing a “third-place” identity for some North Koreans who become fluent English speakers. They had been, in their migration process, less socialized into nationalistic ideology which makes English unspeakable for Koreans. iii Acknowledgements I thank Monica Heller, my supervisor and teacher. This thesis has centrally been a conversation with Monica. She understood my writing and took me to new ideas I had never thought before. I take the sole responsibility of the product of this research, but I could have not reached the level of thinking I have achieved in this work without her guidance. It was a privilege to experience her professional work ethics and insightful, encouraging feedback. It was an enormous experience working with her. I thank Julie Kerekes, my advisor, who has been patiently encouraging me from the very beginning of my long doctoral studies to the very end. I thank Alejandro Paz for his support and his course, which was one of the best courses in my doctoral program and introduced me to the field of linguistic anthropology. Every committee meeting with them was a feast. I am grateful that I was a member of OISE. This research was possible because of the generous funding of University of Toronto (Graduate Package Funding, Research Travel Grant, Doctoral Completion Award) and the academic support for free, critical thinking. I want to thank especially the Korean colleagues at OISE whose support was crucial: Kyungmee Lee, Inchul Jang, Jinsook Yang, and Hyeyoon Cho. I was privileged to meet the North Korean participants, enter their lives and their pasts. I am grateful for the Christian institutions which participated in this study. Their sacrificial work for the North Korean migrants was the basis of the trusting relationship I could build with the participants. I must acknowledge the support I have received from my old friends (Lee Ji-Hye, Lee Joo-yeong, Kang Myeongsook, and Han Seoni) and the inspirations I have received from iv colleagues I have met to talk through this research (especially Nicholas Harkness, Huamei Han, Carolyn Kristjanson, and Lydia Catedral). I thank Wooridle Church in South Korea and Pastor Kim Yang-Jae, which was my spiritual home in the last stage of my studies. I thank the leaders of each of the small groups I was in (Hong Ji-Won, Shin Myeong-Jin, and Choi Jin-Yeong) for their exceptional commitment to the group members. These small groups have been with me through the difficult journey as I gained the ability to produce this writing and conceive a baby. I thank my family, especially my husband, Hae-Eon, my parents, my brother Jinny and sister-in-law In-ah, and my parents-in-law. The love and support they gave me through this doctoral study is really beyond what I can express in words. I miscarried two babies, Somang and Hong, in the last years of my Ph.D. program. I experienced love through their short quiet lives, and currently waiting for our new baby, Sarang, in a few months. I give my most special thanks to Hae-Eon. Thank you for giving me this precious gift of pursuing my dream. v Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................ ii Acknowledgements...................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables.……….………………………………………………………………………...... ix List of Figures ………………………………...………………………………………………… x List of Appendices……………………………………………………………………………… xi Chapter page Chapter 1 The English “problem” …………………………………………………………….1 1. My entry ……………………………………………………………………………………….6 1.1 Seoul Church 1.2 Mee-Soo and I 2. Approaching the problem ……………………………………………………………………13 3. Tensions …………………………………………………………………………………...…18 3.1 Korean vs. English 3.2 Test-driven vs. communicative 3.3 English test vs. English divide 3.4 Helping vs. evangelizing 4. Methodology …………………………………………………………………………………35 4.1 Critical ethnographic sociolinguistics 4.2 Why North Korean young adults 4.3 Focal participants 4.4 Institutions 4.5 Data analysis 5. Structure of thesis ……………………………………………………………………………52 Chapter 2 Crossing state boundaries ………………………...……………………………....57 1. Division of the “Korean nation” ………………………………………………………..……60 2. Post-Cold War economic crises ……………………………………………………….….….65 3. The first North Korean refugees …………………………………………………….…….…68 4. South Korean state policies ………………………………………………………….……....73 5. Stories: Between defectors and migrants …………………………………………….……....77 5.1 Ye-Young 5.2 Wha-Hong 5.3 Bee-Eun 6. Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………...90 vi Chapter 3 Encountering evangelical outreach ……………………….……………………...93 1. Evangelical Christianity in Korea ……………….………………………………….………..94 2. Visions of North Korea …………………….……………………………………….………..98 3. Stories: Encounters and conversions ………………………………………………..……...103 3.1 Han-Young 3.2 Hae-Mee 3.3 Mee-Soo 4. Declining evangelicals ……………………………………….………………….………….118 5. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………..………124 Chapter 4 Learning (how) to learn English ……………………..………………………….127 1. Testing in the unspoken language ……………………………………………..……………129 2. English in North Korea ………………………………………………………..……………132 3. English in South Korea ………………………………………………………..……………133 3.1 State policies 3.2 Employers 3.3 Educational institutions 3.4 The private market 4. When I was in North Korea: “Why study?” ……………………………….…………….…142 5. In South Korea: “I didn‟t think I would need English that much.” ………….……………. 147 6. A case of short resistance: “Is grammar that important?” …………………….………….…153 7. Test English as barrier: “It‟s disgusting!” …………………………………….……….……158 8. Insistence on Test English: “The exam doesn‟t have listening.” …………….……………..163 9. Conclusion …………………………………………………………………….…………....168 Chapter 5 Negotiating missionary English teaching ……………………………………....172 1. Educational outreach…………………. …………………………………..………………..175 2. Conditions of missionary ELT…... ……………………………………..…………………..178 3. English as language of “Christian leader” …...………………………..……………………181 4. Teachers‟ tensions: Between helping and evangelizing …………………………………… 187 4.1 Struggling with Test English 4.2 Negotiating with Christian English 4.3 Creating spaces of Communicative English 5. Students‟ tensions: “I don‟t think North Korean students go to church just for English.” …198 5.1 Calculating cost and benefit 5.2 A case of resistance against Christian requirement 5.3 Accepting to become a “bridge” 6. Conclusion ……………………………………………………..…………………………...213 vii Chapter 6 Ways with identities …………………….………………………………………..217 1. Chul-Kyoo, a South Korean civil servant-to-be …………..………………………………..220 2. Han-Young, the North Korean evangelical ………………..………………………………..227 3. Ye-Young, the English speaker ……………………………..………………………………237 4. Conclusion …………………………………………………..……………………………...246
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Preparing for the Possibility of a North Korean Collapse
    CHILDREN AND FAMILIES The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that EDUCATION AND THE ARTS helps improve policy and decisionmaking through ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT research and analysis. HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE This electronic document was made available from INFRASTRUCTURE AND www.rand.org as a public service of the RAND TRANSPORTATION Corporation. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS LAW AND BUSINESS NATIONAL SECURITY Skip all front matter: Jump to Page 16 POPULATION AND AGING PUBLIC SAFETY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Support RAND Purchase this document TERRORISM AND HOMELAND SECURITY Browse Reports & Bookstore Make a charitable contribution For More Information Visit RAND at www.rand.org Explore the RAND National Security Research Division View document details Limited Electronic Distribution Rights This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law as indicated in a notice appearing later in this work. This electronic representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for non-commercial use only. Unauthorized posting of RAND electronic documents to a non-RAND website is prohibited. RAND electronic documents are protected under copyright law. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of our research documents for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please see RAND Permissions. This report is part of the RAND Corporation research report series. RAND reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for re- search quality and objectivity. Preparing for the Possibility of a North Korean Collapse Bruce W. Bennett C O R P O R A T I O N NATIONAL SECURITY RESEARCH DIVISION Preparing for the Possibility of a North Korean Collapse Bruce W.
    [Show full text]
  • Thank You, Father Kim Il Sung” Is the First Phrase North Korean Parents Are Instructed to Teach to Their Children
    “THANK YOU FATHER KIM ILLL SUNG”:”:”: Eyewitness Accounts of Severe Violations of Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion in North Korea PPPREPARED BYYY: DAVID HAWK Cover Photo by CNN NOVEMBER 2005 UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Michael Cromartie Chair Felice D. Gaer Vice Chair Nina Shea Vice Chair Preeta D. Bansal Archbishop Charles J. Chaput Khaled Abou El Fadl Dr. Richard D. Land Dr. Elizabeth H. Prodromou Bishop Ricardo Ramirez Ambassador John V. Hanford, III, ex officio Joseph R. Crapa Executive Diretor NORTH KOREA STUDY TEAM David Hawk Author and Lead Researcher Jae Chun Won Research Manager Byoung Lo (Philo) Kim Research Advisor United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Staff Tad Stahnke, Deputy Director for Policy David Dettoni, Deputy Director for Outreach Anne Johnson, Director of Communications Christy Klaasen, Director of Government Affairs Carmelita Hines, Director of Administration Patricia Carley, Associate Director for Policy Mark Hetfield, Director, International Refugee Issues Eileen Sullivan, Deputy Director for Communications Dwight Bashir, Senior Policy Analyst Robert C. Blitt, Legal Policy Analyst Catherine Cosman, Senior Policy Analyst Deborah DuCre, Receptionist Scott Flipse, Senior Policy Analyst Mindy Larmore, Policy Analyst Jacquelin Mitchell, Executive Assistant Tina Ramirez, Research Assistant Allison Salyer, Government Affairs Assistant Stephen R. Snow, Senior Policy Analyst Acknowledgements The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom expresses its deep gratitude to the former North Koreans now residing in South Korea who took the time to relay to the Commission their perspectives on the situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and their experiences in North Korea prior to fleeing to China.
    [Show full text]
  • Špecifiká Cestovného Ruchu Pre Česko-Slovenskú Klientelu V KĽDR
    VYSOKÁ ŠKOLA HOTELOVÁ V PRAHE 8, SPOL. S. R. O. Nikola Lomenčíková Špecifiká cestovného ruchu pre česko-slovenskú klientelu v KĽDR Bakalárska práca 2018 Špecifiká cestovného ruchu pre česko-slovenskú klientelu v KĽDR Bakalárska práca Nikola Lomenčíková VYSOKÁ ŠKOLA HOTELOVÁ V PRAHE 8, SPOL. S R. O. Katedra cestovného ruchu Študijný program: Management destinace cestovního ruchu Vedúci bakalárskej práce: Ing. Jitka Mattyašovská Dátum odovzdania bakalárskej práce: 2018-11-22 Dátum obhajoby bakalárskej práce: E-mail: [email protected] Praha 2018 The specifics of tourism of Czechoslovak clients in DPRK Bachelor´s Dissertation Nikola Lomenčíková THE INSTITUTE OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEENT IN PRAGUE 8, Ltd. Department of Tourism Major: Tourism Destination Management Thesis Advisor: Ing. Jitka Mattyašovská Date of submission: 2018-11-22 Date of Thesis Defence E-mail: [email protected] Prague 2018 Čestné prehlásenie P r e h l a s u j e m, že som bakalársku prácu na tému Špecifiká cestovného ruchu pre česko-slovenskú klientelu v KĽDR spracovala samostatne a všetku použitú literatúru a ďalšie podkladové materiály, ktoré som použila uvádzam v zozname použitých zdrojov a že zviazaná a elektronická podoba práce je zhodná. V súlade s § 47b zákona č. 111/1998 Sb., o vysokých školách v platnom znení súhlasím so zverejnením svojej bakalárskej práce, a to v neskrátenej forme, v elektronickej podobe vo verejne prístupnej databáze Vysokej školy hotelovej v Prahe 8, spol. s r. o. .………..……… Nikola Lomenčíková V Prahe dňa Abstrakt LOMENČÍKOVÁ, Nikola. Špecifiká cestovného ruchu pre česko-slovenskú klientelu v KĽDR [Bakalárska práca] Vysoká škola hotelová v Prahe. Praha: 2018, počet strán 70. Bakalárska práca je analýzou cestovného ruchu v Kórejskej ľudovodemokratickej republike, ktorá v súčasnosti predstavuje najizolovanejšiu krajinu sveta.
    [Show full text]
  • The Development of Preferences for Institutions: Evidence from North
    The Development of Preferences for Institutions: Evidence from North Korean Refugees Syngjoo Choi Byung-Yeon Kim Seo-young Silvia Kim Jungmin Lee Sokbae Leey August 2015 Abstract We explore the development of support for market economy and democracy among North Korean refugees settled in South Korea since their experiences of socialism in North Korea and capitalism in South Korea make them an ideal sample. We …nd that these refugees exhibit weaker support for both institutions than native-born South Koreans. Nevertheless, exposure to market activities in North Korea is positively associated with preferences for market economy as well as for democracy. Communist Party membership in North Korea and education in South Korea are respectively linked to stronger support for market economy and democracy. Lastly, those who were young at the time of arrival at South Korea assimilate quickly to democracy. JEL Classi…cation: D02, P10, P20. Keywords: institutions, preferences for institutions, market economy, democracy. The paper has bene…ted from suggestions by participants in the WCCE 2015 and various seminars. We acknowledge that this work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea through Seoul National University. yJungmin Lee is at Sogang University, Republic of Korea, and is also a¢ liated with the Institute for the Study of Labor, Germany. All other authors are at Seoul National University, Republic of Korea. Choi is also a¢ liated with University College London, United Kingdom, and Choi and Sokbae Lee have a¢ liations with the Institute for Fiscal Studies, United Kingdom. 1 1 Introduction Public support for institutions is a key factor in determining their stability.
    [Show full text]
  • University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan the UNIVERSITY of OKLAHOMA
    This dissertation has been 64-126 microfilmed exactly as received SOH, Jin ChuU, 1930- SOME CAUSES OF THE KOREAN WAR OF 1950; A CASE STUDY OF SOVIET FOREIGN POLICY IN KOREA (1945-1950), WITH EMPHASIS ON SINO- SOVIET COLLABORATION. The University of Oklahoma, Ph.D., 1963 Political Science, international law and relations University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA. GRADUATE COLLEGE SOME CAUSES OF THE KOREAN WAR OF 1950: A CASE STUDY OF SOVIET FOREIGN POLICY IN KOREA (1945-1950), WITH EMPHASIS ON SING-SOVIET COLLABORATION A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY BY JIN CHULL SOH Norman, Oklahoma 1963 SOME CAUSES OF THE KOREAN WAR OF I95 O: A CASE STUDY OF SOVIET FOREIGN POLICY IN KOREA (1945-1950), WITH EMPHASIS ON SINO-SOVIET COLLABORATION APPROVED BY DISSERTATION COMMITTEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT The writer chose this subject because the Commuaist strategy in Korea is a valuable case study of an instance in which the "cold war" became exceedingly hot. Many men died and many more were wounded in a conflict which could have been avoided if the free world had not been ignorant of the ways of the Communists. Today, many years after the armored spearhead of Communism first drove across the 38th parallel, 350 ,0 0 0 men are still standing ready to repell that same enemy. It is hoped that this study will throw light on the errors which grew to war so that they might not be repeated at another time in a different place.
    [Show full text]
  • Mental Health Crisis in South Korea
    MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS Beteta 1 Mental Health Crisis in South Korea Shirley Beteta College of East Asian Studies, Wesleyan University Senior Capstone May 15, 2020 MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS Beteta 2 Table of Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................3 1.1 Problem Statement .................................................................................................................3 1.2 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................................5 1.3 Clarification of Terms ........................................................................................................7 2. Literature Review ......................................................................................................................9 2.1 State of the Field ...................................................................................................................9 2.2 Mental Health Amongst the Youth of South Korea ...........................................................10 2.3 Mental Health Amongst the Elderly of South Korea .......................................................13 2.4 Mental Health Amongst the Idols of South Korea .........................................................16 3. Combatting the Mental Health Crisis in South Korea .........................................................21 3.1 Suicide Prevention Amongst the Youth of South Korea ......................................................22
    [Show full text]
  • INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS on LAW and MENTAL HEALTH Rome
    XXXVI INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON LAW AND MENTAL HEALTH Pre-Conference and Inauguration – Sunday July 21, 2019 The Pre-Conference on Medical Complicity and the Inauguration will be at the Sapienza Università di Roma: Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Roma, Italy The reception following the inauguration at the Rome Officers’ Club of the Italian Air Force: Viale dell’Università 20, Roma, Italy July st th Core Congress – Monday July 22, 2019 | Friday July 26, 2019 21 – 26 Academic sessions will be held at the 2019 Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma: Via delle Sette Chiese 139, Roma, Italy Musical Evening – Wednesday July 24, 2019 A concert will take place at the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano: Piazza di S. Giovanni in Laterano 4, Roma, Italy LOCATIONS Under the auspices of International Academy of Law and Mental Health Sponsors Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma Sapienza Università di Roma, Sezione Dipartimentale di Medicina Legale Collaborators Académie internationale d’éthique, médecine et politique publique, Paris International Society for Therapeutic Jurisprudence PROGRAM XXXVI International Congress on Law and Mental Health | Rome July 21 st – 26 th , 2019 XXXVI INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON LAW AND MENTAL HEALTH Rome July 21 st – 26 th , 2019 David N. Weisstub Chair International Academy of Law and Mental Health Académie international d’éthique, médecine et politique publique Vincenzo Mastronardi Co-C hair Già Direttore della Cattedra di Psicopatologia forense, Sapienza Università di Roma Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma XXXVI International Congress on Law and Mental Health | Rome July 21 st – 26 th , 2019 XXXVI International Congress on Law and Mental Health | Rome July 21st – 26th, 2019 INterNatIoNal ScIeNtIfIc coMMIttee David N.
    [Show full text]
  • The Role of King Sejong in Establishing the Confucian Ritual Code
    The Role of King Sejong in Establishing the Confucian Ritual Code Kang Sook Ja This paper reviews the political leadership of King Sejong the Great in the process of establishing ritual codes such as the Five Ritual Codes for royal families and Zhu Xi Ceremonial Occasions (朱子家禮). A Confucian nation is the place where a benevolent king of virtue governs a country according to Confucian principles. Among the Five Ritual Codes for royal families, gilye (吉禮, worship for heaven, earth, famous mountains, and long rivers in the country) is the most important rite as an agricultural society. However, worship for heaven should be solely conducted by the emperor according to the Confucian ritual code, Record of Rites (�記). Therefore, King Sejong has replaced worship for heaven by worship for goddess of earth and crops (社稷, sajik) in praying for rain. Binrye (賓禮) is a rite in foreign diplomatic policy and ritual ceremony in hosting diplomatic delegates. The Joseon dynasty also sent tributes to China to show due respect as a stronger nation. In military rites (軍禮), practicing military arts (講武, gangmu) was conducted twice a year, once in spring and once in autumn in the form of hunting. However, practicing military arts also disturbed the agricultural produce from farmers to a in the countryside. King Sejong temporarily reduced the scale and numbers concern- ing practicing of military arts so as to mitigate the pains of farmers during the season. Chigangnyeong (吹角令) is an order that organizes military personnel in an emergency. While Chigangnyeong was misused sometimes, a lot of peo- ple were uncomfortable and afraid of being implicated in treachery.
    [Show full text]
  • Suicide in Asia: Opportunities and Challenges
    Epidemiologic Reviews Vol. 34, 2012 ª The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. DOI: 10.1093/epirev/mxr025 All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: [email protected]. Advance Access publication: December 7, 2011 Suicide in Asia: Opportunities and Challenges Ying-Yeh Chen, Kevin Chien-Chang Wu, Saman Yousuf, and Paul S. F. Yip* * Correspondence to Dr. Paul S. F. Yip, Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China (e-mail: [email protected]). Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/epirev/article/34/1/129/498617 by guest on 29 September 2021 Accepted for publication September 8, 2011. Asian countries account for approximately 60% of the world’s suicides, but there is a great mismatch in the region between the scale of the problem and the resources available to tackle it. Despite certain commonalities, the continent itself is culturally, economically, and socially diverse. This paper reviews current epidemiologic patterns of suicide, including suicide trends, sociodemographic factors, urban/rural living, suicide methods, sociocultural religious influences, and risk and protective factors in Asia, as well as their implications. The observed epidemiologic distributions of suicides reflect complex interplays among the traditional value/culture system, rapid economic transitions under market globalization, availability/desirability of suicide methods, and sociocultural permission/ prohibitions regarding suicides. In general, compared with Western countries, Asian countries still have a higher average suicide rate, lower male-to-female suicide gender ratio, and higher elderly-to-general-population suicide ratios. The role of mental illness in suicide is not as important as that in Western countries.
    [Show full text]
  • Social Support and Well-Being of South
    SOCIAL SUPPORT AND WELL-BEING OF SOUTH KOREANS AND NORTH KOREAN REFUGEES IN SOUTH KOREA by Soim Park A dissertation submitted to Johns Hopkins University in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Baltimore, Maryland March 2021 ©2021 Soim Park All Rights Reserved Abstract Approximately 33,000 North Korean refugees (NKRs) resettled in South Korea during the last 25 years. NKRs form social networks with other NKRs and South Koreans (SKs), but many struggle to adapt to South Korea. The overall objective of this dissertation is to understand the influences of support exchange on the well-being of SK (host population) and NKR adults (migrants). Between September and December 2019, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 NKRs and 20 SKs who were friends or acquaintances of NKRs. A Grounded Theory approach was used for data analysis. To complement the qualitative findings about support in SKs, we also used a nationally representative cross-sectional survey. We first examined the influence of social support on the well-being of SKs (Chapter 4). Qualitative findings indicated that support exchange appeared to be related to well-being. SKs perceived individualism to be a negative attribute fostering indifference to others. Quantitative findings suggested that prioritization of individual benefits over benefits for the community was inversely related to high subjective well-being. The perceived availability of financial support was associated with high levels of well-being among middle-aged and older adults. Next, we explored coping strategies NKRs adopted to reduce acculturative stress (Chapter 5). Findings suggested that NKRs primarily sought support from culturally similar groups.
    [Show full text]
  • The Economic Effect of Suicide on South Korea Rithik Kothari1, Dhruv Garg2
    Kothari Rithik, Garg Dhruv, International Journal of Advance Research and Development. (Volume 3, Issue 2) Available online at www.ijarnd.com The Economic Effect of Suicide on South Korea Rithik Kothari1, Dhruv Garg2 12Student, School of Business Studies and Social Sciences, Christ University ABSTRACT There are only a few articles available online which give you a comprehensive presentation of the factors involved in people committing suicide in South Korea and how these factors consequently become a hindrance in terms of the full growth potential of the economy. Various studies talk about why people in South Korea commit suicide, the rate of growth in the number of suicides and also the various dimensions of socio-economic, cultural, age stratification and other aspects leading to suicide among different categories of people but none talk about the chronological events leading to the increase in the number of people taking their own lives, the reasons behind their appalling action of deliberate killing of the self and the subsequent impact of this on the families and loved ones of those who died and also the costs it bears on the nation and its economy as a whole all in one place. The aim of this article, therefore, is to explore the sequence, rate, reasons and the ultimate effect of suicide on the South Korean economy in the last few decades with increased focus surrounding the 1997-1998 Asian financial crisis which was a major drawback for South Korea: The Land of the Morning Calm. Keywords: Suicide, Socio-economic Factors, Economic Crisis, South Korea. 1. INTRODUCTION South Korea, which was once under the Japanese colonial rule, started to camp out and stamp a mark of its authority on the world stage since its independence in 1945[1].
    [Show full text]
  • The Invisible Exodus: North Koreans in the People’S Republic of China
    NORTH KOREA 350 Fifth Ave 34 th Floor New York, N.Y. 10118-3299 http://www.hrw.org (212) 290-4700 Vol. 14, No. 8 (C) – November 2002 I had seen almost four hundred North Koreans repatriated from China during my stay in Musan...It was so dangerous to cross the border, but I decided to cross it anyway. --North Korean who escaped to China THE INVISIBLE EXODUS: NORTH KOREANS IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA 1630 Connecticut Ave, N.W., Suite 500 2nd Floor, 2-12 Pentonville Road 15 Rue Van Campenhout Washington, DC 20009 London N1 9HF, UK 1000 Brussels, Belgium TEL (202) 612-4321 TEL: (44 20) 7713 1995 TEL (32 2) 732-2009 FAX (202) 612-4333 FAX: (44 20) 7713 1800 FAX (32 2) 732-0471 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] November 2002 Vol. 14, No. 8 (C) THE INVISIBLE EXODUS: NORTH KOREANS IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA I. Summary and Recommendations........................................................................................................................... 2 Overview................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Recommendations on the Refugee Crisis .............................................................................................................. 5 To North Korea.................................................................................................................................................. 5 To China ...........................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]