Multiethnic Korea?

“In his introduction, Lie argues that race and ethnicity are dynamic notions that locate populations in the process of politics and social history. The other authors take this idea and carry it to some surprising conclusions. The result is both a theoretically and ethnographically important volume, and it is a must-read for those studying Korean culture or East Asian societies. It also will be of pertinent interest to people studying ethnicity and race who want to add a comparative perspective to that which dominates the literature emerging from societies in the West.”—Nobuko Adachi, Illinois State University, American Ethnologist 43, no. 3 (August 2016): 575-576.

"As a comprehensive and important collection of research on Korean peoplehood, this edited volume pushes us to think about and recognize co-ethnic Korean migrants, migrants who form families in South Korea, and people with partly Korean ethnicities. It is intended to be useful for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses on Korea, international migration, ethnicity, and East Asia. The book will also provide insights not only for Koreanists and Asianists, but also for scholars in the fields of migrants, globalization, sociology, comparative politics, and policy." —Claire Seungeun Lee, University of Massachusetts, Boston, Asian Ethnology 75, no. 2 (2016): 498–501

"Although much has been written in Korean on multiculturalism in Korea over the past decade or so, there is a lack of similar scholarship in English. "Multiethnic Korea?" makes a good start at addressing this lack, identifying the challenges that Korea faces on both the policy and personal levels as the nation moves into an increasingly diverse future. The conversation on multiculturalism cannot be dominated by any one voice, and it is hoped that this volume will inspire and encourage open dialogue between all those involved."—Charles La Shure and Lee Woo-young, Koreana (Winter 2015): 74.

"Multiethnic Korea? is essential reading for scholars interested in the broad field of Korean Studies and, indeed, thanks to its accessible, jargon-free language, any critical reader who is interested in unpacking the contemporary 'multicultural' landscape of Korea. Although most of the chapters are oriented toward the social sciences, their applicability may be extended to the humanities, particularly as multicultural residents are becoming a visible presence in the Korean media. Each chapter is insightful as a stand-alone piece, but their significance grows when considered in relation to each other, especially as the contributors tend to cite each other, engaging in productive dialogues."—Eun-hae Kim, Yonsei University, Situations 10.1 (2017): 153–158

"The book rightly revels in the contradictions and inconsistencies in a lot of the current beliefs in, and policies of, multiculturalism. It is with this kind of well-researched and critical literature that barriers to a genuine multiethnicity and multiculturalism in Korea might be lifted."—Iain Watson, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea, Pacific Affairs 90, no. 2 (July 2017): 374–376.