【研究ノート】 Experiences and Identities of Zainichi Korean Students at Chongryun-affiliated Schools

抄録

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between ethnic schools and the identity construction with the focus on a subset of Zainichi Koreans who affiliate with the pro-North Korea group Chongryun (the General Association of Korean Residents) and received education from Chongryun-affiliated schools. This study adopts an empirical qualitative method based on in-depth interviews with thirty-seven Zainichi Koreans as well as field observation which were conducted between 2007 and 2010. The findings of this study show that Chongryun Koreans still share the collective identities despite decline of Chongryun’s unifying force. Their identities are based on a sense of belonging to the ethnic schools and the local Korean community, which has displaced allegiance to North Korea and Chongryun as the major force that unites its members. For some of them, their Zainichi Korean identity is not separated from a sense of being part of Japanese society. This study of a subset of Zainichi Koreans is one example of an ethnic minority group in a global context and it seeks to contribute to the wider understanding of ethnicity and identity formation in contemporary societies.