Neither North nor South - just Korean

Outsiders caught between countries

Struggling to fit into Japan and Korea, some feel they are treated as 'second class'

SPH Brightcove Video
Many zainichi – ethnic Koreans in Japan – still feel caught between countries, unaccepted fully by Japan, yet with no home in North or South Korea. Ms Kim Seo Hyang, who married a Japanese man, talks about fitting into Japanese society.
Project manager Kim Seo Hyang, an ethnic Korean living in Japan, speaks fluent Korean, but her trips to Seoul made her realise that she is very different from South Koreans.
Project manager Kim Seo Hyang, an ethnic Korean living in Japan, speaks fluent Korean, but her trips to Seoul made her realise that she is very different from South Koreans. ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Despite speaking fluent Japanese and being, at first glance, indistinguishable from their Japanese peers, many zainichi - ethnic Koreans in Japan - still feel caught between countries, unaccepted fully by Japan, yet with no home in North or South Korea.

Ms Song Ri Na, 22, a recent graduate of Korea University in Tokyo, said: "In terms of relationships between people, we think we're part of Japan. But in terms of government policies, we're outsiders."

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 01, 2018, with the headline Neither North nor South - just Korean: Outsiders caught between countries . Subscribe