Beyond the Boundaries: Migration Choices of Women from North Korea

-Dr. Jinah Kwon (University of Sheffield)

Abstract:

This special lecture, Beyond the Boundaries: Migration Choices of Women from North Korea, presents insights from the speaker’s ongoing book project, which delves into the migration choices and constraints faced by North Korean migrants. Initiated in 2012 with a preliminary interview conducted among North Korean women in China, the author posed two fundamental questions: "Why do you migrate?" and "Are you happy?" Through these questions, the author investigates the socioeconomic boundaries that influence the life decisions of these migrants. The study encompasses four key countries: North Korea, China, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, identified by official statistics as hosting the largest populations of North Korean migrants. By exploring the experiences and narratives of the women interviewed, the author seeks to understand the complex interplay between individual agency and structural forces within these diverse contexts. The research highlights the tensions and challenges faced by North Korean migrants as they navigate their paths among these countries. This work aims to provide deeper implications for societal development, particularly regarding how these societies can serve as platforms supporting a range of migration choices. The lecture will offer a comprehensive analysis of the migrants' lived experiences, contributing to broader discussions on migration, happiness, and social development.

About the lecturer:

Dr. Jinah Kwon is a political sociologist with an interdisciplinary background. Her Ph.D. dissertation dealt with the migration choices of women from North Korea and is planned to be published under Palgrave Macmillan Studies on Human Rights in Asia with a grant from the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS). She has worked on North Korean human rights with various institutions, including civil society organizations, government agencies, and international organizations for the last 15 years. Prior to joining SEAS, she served as a lecturer at the College of International Studies, Korea University, and as a senior research fellow at Soongsil Institute for Peace and Unification. She is also one of the recipients of the 2023 Award of Excellence presented by the Vice Prime Minister/ Minister of the Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea.