• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.324-339
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• 2013

This study aims to investigate the characteristics of cyber communities composed of migrant workers from communities without propinquity in Korea. Its methods are both qualitative and quantitative. It further seeks to discover the relationship between the social capital formed and reproduced within these cyber communities and participants' cultural adaptation to Korean society. The study revealed that ethnic and non-ethnic communities differed in terms of strength of cohesion, space constraints, and links with the outside world. The former showed characteristics of a localized community type. The main motivations for migrant workers' participation in the ethnic cyber community were communication and friendship rather than cooperation and sharing among members. They usually used cyber communication media to communicate with one another. Conversely, the latter showed characteristics of an integrative type. Despite the difficulties in applying for membership and information provided in Korean, a high percentage of migrant workers participated in the community to obtain crucial information. The results did not show a significant correlation between social capital and migrant workers' traits within the cyber community, while a strong correlation emerged among four factors of social capital: faith, norms, networking, and political participation. The study showed that social capital in the cyber community was in direct proportion to an integrative type of cultural adaptation to Korean society. In particular, there was a strong connection between the cultural adaptation exhibited by members of the migrant subculture and their participation in discussions on political issues and human rights, with some migrants even functioning as agents of social change as participants in citizens' movements. The findings suggest that the cyber community facilitates the migrant subculture's communication with and integration into the indigenous Korean culture. Migrant workers' participation in the cyber community is therefore validated as an instrumental practice for members of this subculture to adapt to Korean society.

• Analyses & Alternatives
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.33-57
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• 2019

After the tragic incident of the sinking of Sewol in spring 2014, Korean migrants in Britain began to hold street protests in London. These protestors condemned the Korean government for the lack of appropriate responses to the accident, and for its failure to conduct proper investigation on the issue. The small group of protestors held silent street protests every month at Trafalgar Square, despite not gaining much media coverage nor public attention. These migrants' almost three-year long protest outside their homeland is puzzling. Not only did they live in Britain for a long time to the extent that they regard the country as their second home, but they also exert scant amount of influence on the political landscape in South Korea. What can then account for these individuals' participation in activism related to their homeland politics? In this paper, we utilize the concept of 'moral identity' to explain the behaviors of Korean migrants involved in the street protests. These migrants had strong 'moral identity', which triggered a sense of responsibility to act when their cherished moral values were jeopardized. Korean migrants who possessed a strong sense of moral identity placed huge importance on living in accordance with their moral values. It is a way of upholding their self-esteem and sustaining their ideal self.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.1-28
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• 2012

In this study, labor force projections are made in order to examine the process and magnitude of labor shortage caused by population ageing in Korea. Starting from theoretical review and analysis of population projection data, this study presents that serious transitions of labor market are expected to begin between 2020 and 2030. This study shows even in case of encouraging higher labor participation, labor shortage cannot be offset but only delay and alleviate effects of population ageing. Finally, this study points out some important implications of labor policy including sensitive social and political issues which should be considered.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.61-67
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• 2023

This study is to suggest ways to overcome the social exclusion experienced by migrants in Korean society and achieve social integration, focusing on the fact that social exclusion continues in many fields along with the increasing number of migrants. The research results are as follows. First, the legal system related to migrants must be enacted and revised. As the number of migrants increases, various legal and institutional enactments as well as reorganization of related laws are inevitable. Immigrants should be allowed to overcome social exclusion so that their cultural uniqueness and value are recognized and preserved, and they are given the same qualifications and abilities as the residents. Second, migrants' political participation must be guaranteed. When the political participation of migrants, which is currently only open to a small part, is guaranteed, Korean society can be seen as progressing one step toward a multicultural society. Third, residents and migrants must coexist. As a premise of this, it is necessary to prepare a ground where social exclusion can be overcome so that migrants can coexist. Immigrants should be able to develop a relationship of coexistence in the reality that social exclusion is progressing in each field compared to permanent residents. In conclusion, in order for the increasing number of immigrants to settle in Korean society, social integration can be achieved only when social exclusion imposed on immigrants is overcome.