영구귀국과 사회문화적 정체성의 균열: 경기도 안산시 고향마을 사할린 동포의 사례를 중심으로

Abstract

In this article, I aim to raise objections as to how Sakhalin-Koreans are depicted in the existing historical depictions of the Korean Diaspora. The article will focus on viewing Sakhalin-Koreans as both subjects often forgotten in the macroscopic history and also as actors leading their lives. This new point of view will show that the group actively led their lives in the midst of changes in their physical and sociocultural environment starting from colonial Chosun to Japan to Russia and then back to Korea. The life-history of these Sakhalin-Koreans who have strategized effectively in order to accomplish social success will be viewed in a new light. This perspective on the life-history of Sakhalin-Koreans will lead to a deeper understanding of the problems that Sakhalin-Korean permanent returnees experience after coming back to Korea. Although factors addressed in existing studies such as parting from family and friends and change in environment do play a negative role, the main problem lies in the severance and denial of social achievements and cultural identities that they accomplished during the Soviet period. This conflict has deepened as Sakhalin-Korean permanent returnees settled in Korea as groups isolated from the majority of the Korean society, leading only their citizenship to change into that of Korea. The Korean society needs to respect the unique socio-cultural identities of Sakhalin-Koreans and properly acknowledge their experiences in the history of the Korean people in order to evaluate the permanent return as one that has occurred properly. The Sakhalin-Korean permanent returnees should be viewed not as historical victims who have returned in their old age, but as transnational Koreans of multicultural identities who we should respect and value through cultural relativism.