Speaker: Prof. HaeRan Shin (Dept. of Geography)

This presentation examines how the geopolitical context of the post-Cold War era has influenced the lives of North Korean women defector-entrepreneurs who have settled in South Korea. It explores the coexistence of bordering and infrastructuring processes, revealing how these women have navigated and adapted to their circumstances, ultimately turning intersecting challenges into new opportunities. The research findings, based on in-depth interviews and participant observation, include the following. First, despite the border controls that restrict movement and connections, various formal and informal mechanisms have developed, establishing a foundation for connectivity. The informal nature of these women’s experiences, such as their involvement in the Jangmadang (informal markets) and cross-border movements facilitated by brokers, enabled mobility and the development of connections despite the border restrictions. Additionally, the formal networks provided by the South Korean government to North Korean defectors have further strengthened these connections, in contrast to the restrictive border controls. Through the constant interaction and coexistence of these bordering and connecting processes, East Asia has evolved into a borderland. Second, these women have utilized geopolitical constraints to develop the assets necessary for entrepreneurship. While in China, through forced marriages, they learned the Chinese language and gained work experience in South Korean companies, which later became valuable in their entrepreneurial endeavors. Upon arriving in South Korea, the disadvantages they faced in the labor market and the pressure of gender roles motivated them to start their own businesses, leading to new opportunities.