A Study on the Identity Perception of Second-Generation Korean Immigrants from Türkiye through Oral History Narratives- Focusing on Second-Generation Immigrants who Chose to Reside in Korea

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study aims to analyze the life experiences and identity perceptions of second-generation Korean migrants raised in Türkiye who chose to reside in Korea after reaching adulthood, through oral life histories. To this end, in-depth interviews were conducted from July to September 2025 with 13 second-generation Korean migrants currently living in Korea, focusing on their lives in Türkiye during childhood and adolescence and their experiences in Korea during adulthood.
The results of the study indicate that while participants formed a high level of emotional intimacy and a sense of belonging toward Turkish society, they also consistently experienced otherness as foreigners. These dual experiences together served as a catalyst for strengthening their identity as Koreans, and Korea was perceived as an object of ambivalence where familiarity and strangeness coexist.
Furthermore, the choice of Korea was found to be the result of a complex interplay of various conditions, including not only structural factors such as military service, educational systems, and visas but also career exploration, identity establishment, and relational factors. Notably, excluding unavoidable conditions, preference and familiarity toward Korea, along with a positive national image, were confirmed to have significantly influenced their choice. In terms of identity perception, participants defined themselves as Korean while simultaneously revealing a hybrid identity that internalized their experiences of growing up in Türkiye. They exhibited a fluid self-perception that moved between being Korean and their Turkish experiences depending on the situation and context, and even after choosing Korea, they were experiencing a process of continuous adjustment and reconstruction rather than complete belonging.
In summary, the identity of second-generation Korean migrants from Türkiye who chose Korea can be understood as a hybrid identity that cannot be reduced to a single national category, and it is identified as a process-oriented product that is formed and transformed within the migration experience.