Uzbekistan: Update to UZB33152.E on the situation of ethnic Koreans in Uzbekistan

Sources indicate that there are approximately 200,000 (APS 11 Nov. 2002) to 240,000 ethnic Koreans living in Uzbekistan (Korea Times 31 Aug. 2001).

A leading researcher and professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies, Institute of History, at the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, sent the following correspondence to the Research Directorate regarding the general situation of ethnic Koreans in Uzbekistan. The professor is an internationally published scholar on the topic of the Korean diaspora in Central Asia, including the Korean movement and Korean cultural identity in Uzbekistan (CV n.d.). These comments are reflective of his personal opinion only.

The professor reported that, in general, ethnic Koreans enjoy good relations with Uzbeks and the government of Uzbekistan (16 Dec. 2002). He added that indigenous people and Slav people also have positive relations with Koreans (Professor 16 Dec. 2002). According to a 17 April 2000 AFP article, the younger generation of Koreans are almost entirely integrated into Central Asian society, but "many older Koreans have not forgotten their native language nor their bitterness toward the Soviet regime that dumped them [in Uzbekistan]."

Cultural events, such as the week-long celebration of Korean culture held in the capital city of Tashkent, attempt to address issues of ethnic identity and promote cultural understanding (Korea Times 10 Sept. 1999). The Korean ambassador to Uzbekistan stated that the event is meant "to promote cultural exchange between the two countries" and "to encourage ethnic Koreans to preserve their culture" (ibid.). The following media and cultural organizations serve the Korean community in Uzbekistan:

– two Korean newspapers

– a Korean [television] programme

– folk collectives

– an association of Korean cultural centers that unify Korean centers in 24 provinces, cities and towns

– alternative Korean organizations (Professor 16 Dec. 2002).

According to the professor at Uzbekistan's Academy of Sciences, "Koreans are represented in all spheres of Uzbek society" and currently hold many prominent positions within the government, private and academic sectors (ibid.). The professor also noted that despite these positive signs of acceptance, Koreans continue to emigrate abroad (ibid.). However, according to the professor, the situation is "not connected directly with [the] ethnic nature of Koreans," but, rather, is due to linguistic and economic barriers (ibid.). Koreans in Uzbekistan speak Russian, but since the collapse of the USSR

it is not easy to get high positions without knowledge of [the] state language. [The] usual language used between different ethnic groups is still Russian, but official meetings in organizations, documents, instructions, etc. are in Uzbek (ibid.).

The professor also maintained that most Koreans are loyal to the Government and are generally not politically active, an assessment which he bases on the following rationale:

In 1937 [Koreans] were deported by Stalin on ... political motives. They saw the blood scenarios of ethnic conflicts in the post-Soviet space. So, they don't want to be involved in events with possible negative consequences (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP) [Tashkent]. 17 April 2000. Galima Bukharbayaeva. "Koreans Make Mark on Central Asia 60 Years After Stalin Deportations." (NEXIS)

APS Review Downstream Trends. 11 November 2002. Vol. 59, No. 20. "Uzbekistan: Overtures to the West." (Gale Group 2002/NEXIS)

Curriculum Vitae (CV). n.d. [Accessed 17 Dec. 2002]

Korea Times. 31 August 2001. "Uzbekistan Gaining Dynamism." (NEXIS)

_____. 10 September 1999. "Korean Cultural Week to Kick Off in Uzbekistan on Monday." (NEXIS)

Professor of Ethnic Studies, Institute of History, Academy of Sciences, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. 16 December 2002. Correspondence.

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases

LEXIS/NEXIS

Internet sites, including:

Amnesty International

Annual Reports on International Religious Freedom 1999

Country Reports

European Centre for Minority Issues

Human Rights Watch

International Helsinki Federation of Human Rights

Minorities at Risk

Project on Open Society in Central Eurasia

Radio Free Europe

United Nations

United States Committee for Refugees (USCR)

The World Factbook 2001