Research on Marriage Migrant Women on Their Shift from ‘Other’ to ‘Subject’ Centered around the Economic Activity and Living Experience of Marriage Migrant Women in Yeongju, Gyeongbuk

Abstract

This paper analyzes the process of change from 'other' to 'subject' by conducting in-depth interviews on the economic activities and life experiences of marriage migrant women in Yeongju, Gyeongbuk. According to the research results, marriage migrant women chose to marry Korean men in order to help poor families in their home countries and live a prosperous life in Korea. However, the realities of Korean families were poor, and women were severely ignored and discriminated against because they were from poor countries. Marriage migrant women made efforts to engage in economic activities and participate in Korean language classes and competency programs in order to change their poor home environment for the better. Marriage migrant women gave birth to sons, accepted Korean family culture, and were recognized as dignified personalities. Marriage migrant women are growing into family leaders by leading cultural convergence between their mother country and Korea.