Identity Change of Korean Chinese in Transnational Mobility : A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Jinhai Piao and Liyan Quan

The transnational migration of Korean Chinese has experienced sustained growth over the past three decades following China's implementation of the "Reform and Opening-up Policy." As Korean Chinese began migrating to South Korea, their patterns of mobility and living conditions underwent significant transformations, leading to the disruption and reconstruction of their sense of belonging, value systems, and identity constructs. This study employs a longitudinal research design, utilizing two waves of in-depth interviews conducted over a decade (2004 and 2014), to examine the evolution of ethnic and national identities among Korean Chinese and to identify the underlying factors driving these changes. The findings reveal a complex trajectory of identity transformation: during the late 1990s, there was a noticeable weakening of ethnic identity as Koreans alongside a strengthening of national identity as Chinese. In the first half of the 21st century, despite the emergence of increasingly open and pluralistic identity formations characterized by the interplay and tension between ethnic and national identities, Korean Chinese predominantly maintain their identification as Chinese nationals. This study contributes to the understanding of the dynamic interplay between ethnic affiliation and national identity in the context of transnational migration, offering insights into the complex identity negotiation processes of diasporic communities.

PDF