Analysing the Korean diaspora: a case study of Koryo-saram and Sakhalin Koreans

Abstract

Koryo-saram and Sakhalin Koreans are ethnic Koreans living in the post-Soviet countries. This paper tries to clarify the terminology regarding these ethnic Koreans in the post-Soviet countries through the diaspora theory, and analyze them further with the concept of the ‘Korean diaspora’ and ‘the place of diaspora’. The research took Small-N comparison and case study method by reviewing Korean, Russian, and English literature. By analysing the Soviet Korean diaspora through ‘homeland-host country-international society’ framework with political, economic and social aspects, ‘the place of diaspora’ is visualised.