[Article] Public attitudes towards co-ethnic migrant integration: evidence from South Korea

24.12.2023

Steven Denney and Christopher Green discover how attitudes shape North Korean migrant integration in South Korea.

"What can public attitudes towards the integration of co-ethnic migrants teach us about social integration in newly diverse societies?"

The study explores public attitudes toward integrating co-ethnic migrants and their implications for social integration in diverse societies. It particularly focuses on the case of North Korean migrants in South Korea, investigating how threats, both realistic and symbolic, influence native attitudes towards these migrants. The findings reveal that South Koreans tend to favor North Korean migrants who have spent more time in South Korea, indicative of reduced intergroup threats. Conversely, migrants displaying stronger ties to North Korea or lacking diverse social connections in South Korea face greater discrimination due to heightened intergroup threat concerns. These results have significant implications for integration policies and contribute to migration, citizenship, and Korean Studies literature.

Denney, Steven, and Christopher Green. "Public attitudes towards co-ethnic migrant integration: evidence from South Korea, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies"Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies (2023).