International Ethnic Networks and Intra-Ethnic Conflict : Koreans in China

Since the normalization of Sino-Korean diplomatic relations in 1992, many South Koreans have moved to China for business, education, and other purposes. There they have encountered Korean-Chinese; ethnic Koreans who have lived in China for decades. This has lead to 'intra-ethnic conflict' which has divided Korean communities. Through a study of surprising conflict within Korean communities in China, this book portrays the breakdown of an ethnic identity through disputes in everyday life and in so doing contributes to debates over globalization and communal identities Since the normalization of Sino-Korean diplomatic relations in 1992, many South Koreans have moved to China for business, education, and other purposes. In China they have encountered Korean-Chinese - ethnic Koreans who have lived in China for decades. Contrary to expectations that ethnic solidarity would lay the foundation for lasting cooperation between South Koreans and Korean-Chinese, "intra-ethnic conflict" has instead divided the Korean communities. The explanation for this surprising finding lies in cultural and economic differences which developed between Koreans in South Korea and in China during decades of separation and in a degree of ethnic trust blind to actual circumstances. By showing how ethnic identity underpins transnational flows of people and resources but also how those flows transform ethnic configurations, this book contributes to debates about the interaction of globalization and community Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Introduction....Pages 1-17 Korean Migrations to and within China....Pages 19-39 Ethnicity or Nationality? Korean Identities in China....Pages 41-59 South Korean and Korean Chinese Business Relations in China....Pages 61-85 Korean Business, Intra-Ethnic Conflict, and Adaptive Strategies....Pages 87-111 Relations between Korean Chinese and South Koreans in the Service Sector....Pages 113-129 Community Networks and Activities....Pages 131-166 Conclusion....Pages 167-171 Back Matter....Pages 173-198