When she first arrived in Kazakhstan, she tasted national dishes and received sarkyt and körimdık. Today, this Korean woman introduces herself as “Bayan.” She speaks Kazakh fluently and treats Kazakh culture and identity with special respect. She is one of the first students at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Korea to choose the Kazakh language. For four years she studied the language and traditions, then came to Astana and completed her doctoral studies. Now she researches Kazakh culture in Korea and strengthens the spiritual ties between the two countries. Ms. Chu Young-Min gave an interview to the El.kz internet portal and spoke about migration issues between the two countries.

 

- Dear Ms. Chu Young-Min, thank you for agreeing to give this interview. To begin with, please tell our readers a little about yourself.

Chu Young-Min: Dear friends and readers in Kazakhstan, hello! My name is Chu Young-Min, and my Kazakh name is Bayan. I completed my doctoral studies in Astana and now teach students from Central Asia at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Korea. On one hand, I am a researcher specializing in Kazakhstan, and on the other hand, I am a big admirer of the country.

 

- We know that you pursued your doctorate at the Eurasian National University in Astana. How did that period influence your scientific direction?

Chu Young-Min: It is well known that most research on Kazakhstan conducted in Korea in the past was based on Soviet or Russian perspectives. Many researchers used the Russian language in their work. I also studied Kazakhstan in Korea through such research. Of course, these studies contain valuable viewpoints and extensive information. However, I thought that the local perspective from within Kazakhstan was insufficiently represented. Most of this information was based on sources originating from Russia. Therefore, I wanted to study Kazakhstan not through the Russian language or Russian sources, but through the Kazakh language — in other words, I wanted to see the country through the eyes of the Kazakh people themselves and conduct research in that direction. My experience of studying and living in Astana gave me a tremendous opportunity to understand the essence of independent Kazakhstan more deeply. Even now, I want to listen more to the opinions and perspectives of Kazakhstani citizens.

 

- Why did the Kazakh nation and migration in Central Asia become the main focus of your research? Was this choice based on personal interest or scientific necessity?

Chu Young-Min: I am a specialist in regional studies. In my opinion, regional studies is a science that seeks ways to build closer relations with other regions or countries. Therefore, compared to traditional sciences, I consider it to have a more practical nature. This is what I like about it.

The main goal of my research is to find ways for the two countries to come closer together. To achieve this goal, I first studied the Kazakh language, lived in Kazakhstan, and communicated closely with local people. Now, looking at processes from Korea’s perspective, I realized that it is important to understand them correctly. That is why I started writing an article on this topic.

 

- What was your first impression of Kazakhstan? In which region did you live, and with what kind of people did you interact? What did this experience give you?

Chu Young-Min: In 2007, as a student, I lived in Almaty for one year through an academic mobility program. Later, during my doctoral studies, I lived in Astana. I love both cities, but perhaps because I lived longer in Astana, that city is closer to me. Although Astana’s winter is very, very cold, I think the city is beautiful because I had many warm-hearted teachers and friends there. While living in Astana, I often visited friends, ate meat dishes, and drank black tea. After celebrations, I was always given sarkyt, and when I received my diploma, I was given körimdık. I also often met with Koreans (Koryo-saram) living in Kazakhstan, and grandmothers, in particular, were very caring toward me. Therefore, I gained a lot of weight while living in Astana. I think all of this was thanks to love. It was thanks to the care and love of those around me that I was able to successfully complete my studies. The hospitality shown by my friends in Kazakhstan still remains in my heart.

 

- We know that you conduct various studies on Kazakhstan. Among them, I have read your article about the reasons why Kazakhstani migrants move to South Korea. Most of my questions in this interview will be related to migration issues. In recent years, the number of migrants from Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, in South Korea has increased. What structural or cultural factors do you associate this process with?

Chu Young-Min: The emergence of this phenomenon was caused by the interaction of many factors. I analyzed these factors based on Migration Systems Theory, dividing them into macro, micro, and meso levels.

First, the factors at the macro level include:

First – diplomatic relations and institutional changes.

Second – the mutual complementarity of demographic and industrial structures.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Kazakhstan in 1992, the two countries have maintained friendly ties based on shared values such as a market economy, nuclear disarmament, and the presence of the Korean diaspora. In 2009, the relationship reached the level of a strategic partnership. And in 2014, a visa-free regime was introduced, allowing citizens of both countries to travel freely.

In addition, starting from 2025, South Korea will enter the super-aged society phase when the proportion of the population aged over 65 will exceed 20%, while in Kazakhstan, 57.5% of the population is of working age (16–62 years). Korea lacks a labor force, while Kazakhstan lacks jobs. Moreover, Korea relies on an industrial economy, whereas Kazakhstan relies on a resource-based economy. In other words, a situation of mutual complementarity has developed in terms of demographic and economic structure.

As for the factors at the micro level, these include: first, the Korean diaspora (Koryo-saram), second, the Korean Wave (Hallyu), and third, communities related to Korea both online and offline. The Korean diaspora (Koryo-saram) can be considered the “first window” to Korea for the Kazakh people. Thanks to their positive image, a favorable perception of Korea was formed. In addition, the Korean Wave (K-pop), which began in the 2000s, also became an important factor increasing interest in Korea.

Previously, people received information about Korea from relatives or fellow villagers, but now, thanks to the development of the internet, many online communities have appeared. Now anyone can easily find information on how to go to Korea, where it is convenient to live, which has accelerated the migration process.

As a meso-level factor, we can mention migration brokers. Compared to the past, now there are more people who want to go to Korea, so such services have appeared quickly. This also contributed to the increase in the number of new migrants.

 

- According to the data presented in your article, many Kazakhstanis try to obtain refugee status or stay illegally. What are the socio-psychological or systemic reasons for this phenomenon?

Chu Young-Min: Moving to another country is real uncertainty. Therefore, people begin to look for more reliable, tried paths, using Korea’s asylum system or, like some, staying illegally. And there are special brokers who know this field well. The recognition rate for refugees in Korea is only 2.7%, which is very low. It is very difficult for Kazakh citizens to obtain refugee status. Nevertheless, the number of those applying for refugee status is not small. This shows that they have other specific intentions. But in reality, this method is neither reliable nor safe. It also requires a lot of money and time for several interviews. If there is no opportunity to obtain or extend a visa, some people stay illegally to earn money. If they remain illegal, no one can help them. This is a very dangerous situation.

 

- Using Migration Systems Theory, you describe Kazakh labor migrants as cultural intermediaries or an “international bridge.” What role can they play in bilateral relations between Korea and Kazakhstan?

Chu Young-Min: Labor migrants work in Korea for a while and then return to Kazakhstan. When they are in Kazakhstan, they tell people around them about Korean culture or demonstrate in practice what they learned in Korea. Those who have never been to Korea get to know Korean culture through them. For example, how Koreans cook and eat ramen, what kind of grapes they eat (like Shine Muscat), or what traditions they follow when a baby is born – all this becomes an example. Conversely, Koreans learn that Kazakh people love meat and dairy products and prefer black tea over coffee. This becomes the foundation of cultural relations.

 

- Among the Kazakh youth who moved to Korea, there are those who came to study and those who came to work. What are the differences in the adaptation process and cultural integration of these two groups?

Chu Young-Min: Differences may exist depending on the group, but in my opinion, the most important thing in adaptation is language. Korean society is 95% Korean. It used to be even higher. Therefore, knowing Korean in Korean society is a natural requirement. Of course, in universities, there is the opportunity to attend lectures in English and make friends. But in everyday life, without knowing Korean, there can be many difficulties. Therefore, those who know Korean well adapt faster both in companies and in educational institutions. And as you may know, Koreans work a lot and are very strict and demanding in the workplace. Therefore, Kazakhstanis need some time to understand and get used to Korea’s work culture.

 

- What new trends or interesting facts are observed among Kazakhstanis currently living in Korea? For example, in which sectors do they often work, in which regions are they concentrated, and what is the cultural impact?

Chu Young-Min: Nowadays, there are many videos in vlog format on social media showing what life in Korea is like. These videos explain what food Koreans eat, how they go to hospitals, or what Korean houses look like. Previously, news about Korea was mostly associated with North Korea. But now there is a lot of news about Korean stars and politicians, which sometimes surprises me. Recently, interest in Korea has not only grown but has also become more diverse and deeper.

Kazakhstanis mostly concentrate in cities where Koreans who migrated from Russia and Central Asia live, such as Incheon, Gwangju, and Ansan. In other words, they live in Russian-speaking areas. The number of Central Asian stores and eateries is increasing in these areas, so Koreans can taste Central Asian dishes. If these places are well promoted or introduced to Koreans, I think they can become platforms for cultural exchange.

 

- What is Korea’s perception of Kazakhstan in the public opinion space? Through what mechanisms can this image be improved?

Chu Young-Min: Now, through social networks, it is easy to find information about Kazakhstan, but sometimes the same information is repeated or is inaccurate. Therefore, Koreans still view Kazakhstan with great interest. In their opinion, Kazakhstan is a country they do not yet fully know.

I believe that the most effective way to know each other better is to strengthen cultural ties. Kazakhstan is well acquainted with Korean culture. But Korea does not know much about Kazakhstan. Therefore, through various cultural events, for example, organizing joint K-pop and Q-pop concerts or opening a Kazakh cultural center in Korea, it is necessary to introduce Koreans to Kazakh culture.

 

- You note that there are ethnic Koreans in Kazakhstan and that their image plays a role in shaping a positive perception of Korea in the minds of Kazakhstani people. How do you assess this cultural influence?

Chu Young-Min: When I visit my Kazakh friends’ homes, I often see carrot salad on the table. They also know kimchi and kuksi well. Although the taste is slightly different, all of these are dishes of Korean cuisine. The people of Kazakhstan have been familiar with Korean cuisine since the Soviet period through the Korean diaspora – Koryo-saram – living in the country. In my opinion, this diaspora has made a significant contribution to the cultural closeness between Kazakhstan and Korea.

 

- How do you think labor migration between Korea and Kazakhstan will develop in the future? What changes might the introduction of the EPS system bring?

Chu Young-Min: If the EPS system is introduced, labor migration will be able to take place in a more systematic and safe manner. Korean companies experiencing a shortage of labor will receive workers on time, and migrants will work legally, and their rights will be protected. In the current situation of deepening human exchange between the two countries, institutional support corresponding to these processes should continue.

- Thank you for the interview!
 

More details: El.kz