The perception of the first-generation and new-generation Amerasians on the factors that help and hinder their integration into mainstream Korean society

As the world becomes internationalized and globalized today, many societies have become more accepting of multicultural and multiracial people. In many societies, biracial heritages are considered to be assets in terms of employment, education and social acceptance. However, a Korean\u27s Amerasian identity is considered to be a hindering factor in South Korea. Amerasian ethnicity is associated with the Korean women who worked for the U.S. soldiers and/or on the U.S. military bases in South Korea since the Korean War from 1950-1953 and continuing through the present day. This research considers the main question: What is the perception of the first-generation and new-generation Amerasians on what factors help and hinder Amerasians in their abilities to integrate into mainstream Korean society? Through in-depth interviews with 10 participants who represent Amerasians from both the first-generation and the new-generation, the research represents the voices of the experiences of both groups of Amerasians. The results indicated that both Amerasian groups in this study had similarities and differences in their perceptions of the helping and hindering factors that were examined. The Amerasians who were interviewed discussed the ways they addressed the helping and hindering factors in order to improve and eventually become more integrated into mainstream Korean society. This research has applications in the work and research of Pearl S. Buck International Korea (PSBIK) and other NGOs working with Amerasians worldwide. In addition, it is also hoped that this research will encourage mainstream Koreans to examine their discriminatory treatment of Amerasians. This research will also play a role in showing policy makers in the United States what measures need to be taken to insure that the government and its military personnel are held accountable for their actions with civilian women in the countries they occupy

The perception of the first-generation and new-generation Amerasians on the factors that help and hinder their integration into mainstream Korean society

As the world becomes internationalized and globalized today, many societies have become more accepting of multicultural and multiracial people. In many societies, biracial heritages are considered to be assets in terms of employment, education and social acceptance. However, a Korean\u27s Amerasian identity is considered to be a hindering factor in South Korea. Amerasian ethnicity is associated with the Korean women who worked for the U.S. soldiers and/or on the U.S. military bases in South Korea since the Korean War from 1950-1953 and continuing through the present day. This research considers the main question: What is the perception of the first-generation and new-generation Amerasians on what factors help and hinder Amerasians in their abilities to integrate into mainstream Korean society? Through in-depth interviews with 10 participants who represent Amerasians from both the first-generation and the new-generation, the research represents the voices of the experiences of both groups of Amerasians. The results indicated that both Amerasian groups in this study had similarities and differences in their perceptions of the helping and hindering factors that were examined. The Amerasians who were interviewed discussed the ways they addressed the helping and hindering factors in order to improve and eventually become more integrated into mainstream Korean society. This research has applications in the work and research of Pearl S. Buck International Korea (PSBIK) and other NGOs working with Amerasians worldwide. In addition, it is also hoped that this research will encourage mainstream Koreans to examine their discriminatory treatment of Amerasians. This research will also play a role in showing policy makers in the United States what measures need to be taken to insure that the government and its military personnel are held accountable for their actions with civilian women in the countries they occupy

North Korean Migrants\u27 Integration into South Korean Society: Policies, Perceptions and Realities

Ethnic migration may occur because of special provisions to persons with the same ethnic nationality. In this interpretation, ethnic migration represents three distinct patterns--shared ethnicity, a moral duty toward ethnic migrants and preference within receiving states\u27 legislative and institutional practices. In looking at the movement of North Korean migrants to the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and their socio-economic integration experience, this study affirms these patterns exist. In addition, this paper\u27s findings indicate that despite preferential treatment and generous support from receiving states, ethnic migrants do not fully enjoy economic stability and social acceptance in their new homeland. They often face the same difficulties as non-ethnic migrants. I address the following research questions in this study: 1) What are the perceived benefits of South Korea\u27s settlement support policy versus the realities? and 2) How well does the policy promote these migrants\u27 integration into South Korean society? To answer these questions, I utilize two research methods: an archival, in-depth analysis of policy documents related to South Korea\u27s settlement support policy and in-depth field interviews conducted from November 2006 to June 2007. Follow-up interviews continued until August 2008. The findings show South Korea\u27s settlement support policy is a significant determinant of North Korean migrants\u27 movement to South Korea because they expect it will provide them with economic security, personal safety and social acceptance. However, in reality, the policy does not serve their real economic and societal needs. The findings of the study support that common ethnicity and preferential treatment do not automatically open the door for integration of ethnic migrants (Tinguy, 2003:125.