North Korean Defectors: Challenges and Perspectives
Dr. Marianne Jung (Comenius University, Slowakia)
Abstract:
In the absence of concrete ethnic differences, the division of a single Korean nation into two opposing states has led to the creation of specific types of nationhood and state-building. Based on a “pseudo-ethnicity”, North Korean immigrants are considered “other” to South Koreans, which leads to discrimination in the workplace and results in low income levels. To escape their disadvantaged position, many North Korean defectors pursue self-employment, which is regarded as a key avenue for upward socio-economic mobility of immigrants. This presentation explores how North Korean defectors navigate South Korean society in their pursuit of self-sufficiency through entrepreneurial activities, highlighting successful case studies based on field research.
Biography:
After obtaining her Ph.D. from the University of Vienna in 2022, Marianne Jung is presently associated with Comenius University in Bratislava as an Assistant Professor within the Faculty of Arts. Employing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies her dissertation thesis entitled “Entrepreneurial strategies of North Korean defectors in South Korea: a mixed embeddedness approach”, focused on North Korean defectors in South Korea. Key areas of interest furthermore include social issues, ageing, and the digital transformation of homes in South Korea. Streaming / Video URL https://heiconf.uni-heidelberg.de/upyt-pmtv-ujq4-zw79 Address Centre for Asian and Transcultural Studies (CATS) CATS Auditorium 010.01.05 Voßstraße 2 69115 Heidelberg Organizer Prof. Dr. Anja Senz, Institut für Sinologie Homepage Organizer https://ostasien-aktuell.uni-heidelberg.de Contact Ostasien Aktuell Contact URL https://ostasien-aktuell.uni-heidelberg.de Alle Termine der Veranstaltung 'Vortragsreihe Ostasien Aktuell': Wednesday 04th December 2024, 06:00 PM Animal Law in Korea: A Case Study on the Dog Meat Practices Yongbeom Choi
Monday 05th May 2025, 01:00 PM University Ranking System and Hakbul Ideology in South Korea Dr. Jihye Bae (Chungang University, South Korea)
Wednesday 07th May 2025, 06:00 PM North Korean Defectors: Challenges and Perspectives Dr. Marianne Jung (Comenius University, Slowakia)
Wednesday 25th June 2025, 06:00 PM Entrepreneurship as a Means of Individual Social Mobility and Community Building: A Comparative Analysis of Immigrant Chinese and Korean Communities in Los Angeles, USA Prof. Dr. Min Zhou (UCLA, US)
Monday 07th July 2025, 01:00 PM Gender, Mobility, and the Archipelago: A Korean Picture Bride’s Involvement in Hawaii’s Lodging Businesses Dr. Jin Suk Bae (Soongsil University, South Korea)
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