Lecturer

Dr Jinah Kwon (University of Sheffield)

Dr. Jinah Kwon is a political sociologist with an interdisciplinary background in theology, East Asian studies, sociology, and political science. Her research, beginning with her Ph.D. dissertation on the migration choices of women from North Korea, centers on key themes of gender, migration, human rights, and development. Building on her studies in international law and human rights during her master’s years, as well as her interactions with friends and colleagues from North Korea, she has spent the last 15 years researching and advocating for North Korean human rights. Her work has involved collaborations with civil society organizations, government agencies, and international organizations. Before joining the School of East Asian Studies at the University of Sheffield, she served as a lecturer at the College of International Studies, Korea University, and as a senior research fellow at the Soongsil Institute for Peace and Unification.

Abstract

How does nationalism operate within North Korean diaspora communities? Is there a shared sense of nationalism among North Korean migrants, and if so, how does it manifest in new host societies? These questions raise fundamental issues concerning how North Korean migrants are understood, the policy implications surrounding their settlement and integration, and the future of unification on the Korean Peninsula.

Drawing primarily on ethnographic research, this presentation examines whether nationalism is a meaningful framework for understanding the experiences of North Korean migrants and explores its implications within the broader context.

Online event!

Please register in advance: https://fu-berlin.webex.com/weblink/register/r3835b476c3c02854a02128c590cd81fc