National Heterogeneity and Transnational Linkage to Homeland: The Case of Korean Migrants in China

This article takes a closer look at overseas Korean community characterized by significant national heterogeneity to examine the internal differentiation of Korean migrants living in China with particular regard to transnational economic involvement. It investigates their orientations and the extent to which two subgroups of coethnic migrants, Korean Chinese and South Koreans are involved in economic activities linking homeland and hostland and reveals distinctive patterns of transnationalness of Korean migrants. The analysis is based on the quantitative data collected for the purpose in Wangjing Korea town in Beijing. Instead of resorting to the common discourse on migration and homeland development nexus, which seems insufficient to explain transnational interests of Korean migrants, alternative interpretation of divergent orientations is suggested. Main findings counter the dominant assumption on diaspora’s orientation to homeland unpacking complex orientations of negotiating ethnicity when seeking transnational activities for alternative economic pathway. Discussion shows the theoretical significance of national heterogeneity in the field of transnationalism.