Formation and Development Features of the Russian-Speaking Koreans Community in South Korea

Formation and Development Features of the Russian-Speaking Koreans Community in South Korea


Kim Hye Jin

Ph.D. (Hist.), Research Prof., Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul, Republic of Korea arina@hufs.ac.kr

Jung Youngjoo

Ph.D. (Philol.), Assist. Prof., Department of Russian Language and Literature, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea yj_jung25@yonsei.ac.kr

ID of the Article: 10639


This work was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF‑2019S1A6A3A02102950).


For citation:

Kim Hye Jin, Jung Youngjoo Formation and Development Features of the Russian-Speaking Koreans Community in South Korea. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. 2025. No 8. P. 119-131



Abstract

As the number of Russian-speaking Koreans (Koryoin) flowing into South Korea increases every year, their densely populated residences are being formed in various regions of the country. In some places, these zones are developed into full-fledged communities, while in others, they remain simply densely populated areas of Russian-speaking Koreans. This article examines the formation and development of the Koryoin community in the urban-type settlement of Poseung, Pyeongtaek City, which is home to an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 Koryoin. This study focuses on the role of the village headman, his wife and Russian-speaking Korean migrants in the development of the community. Their activities, based on the effective use of the resources of a small administrative unit, have become a key factor contributing to its intensive development. A notable feature of this community is the active involvement of elderly Russian-speaking Koreans, previously excluded from labor and production activities, in participation in public life.


Keywords
Russian-speaking Koreans; koryoin; South Korea; Pyeongtaek city; community; interaction; integration

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Content No 8, 2025