@article{ART003397236},
author={Eunmi Kim and Buhyeon Nam},
title={Forging Connections at the Boundaries: Field Professionals’ Lived Experiences of Supporting Koryoin Settlement},
journal={The Journal of Multicultural Society},
issn={2005-2553},
year={2026},
volume={19},
number={3},
pages={123-168},
doi={10.14431/jms.2026.10.19.3.123}
TY - JOUR
AU - Eunmi Kim
AU - Buhyeon Nam
TI - Forging Connections at the Boundaries: Field Professionals’ Lived Experiences of Supporting Koryoin Settlement
JO - The Journal of Multicultural Society
PY - 2026
VL - 19
IS - 3
PB - Research Institute of Asian Women
SP - 123
EP - 168
SN - 2005-2553
AB - This study aimed to elucidate the lived experiences of field professionals who have supported the local settlement of Koryoin (ethnic Koreans from the former Soviet Union) and the essential meaning structure of those experiences. A focus group interview was conducted with six field professionals working in Hapdeok-eup, Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea, and the data were analyzed using van Manen’s (1990/2000) hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Four essential themes were identified: “finding paths to encounters beyond invisible boundaries,” “reaching out with halting words and an aching heart,” “urgency and accompaniment amid misaligned temporalities,” and “empathy and relationship building beyond unfamiliarity.” The essential meaning structure was interpreted as an experience of investing one’s words, heart, and time at linguistic and institutional boundaries to forge connections between Koryoin and the local community. The professionals’ relational practices opened possibilities for connecting Koryoin with support systems while revealing institutional constraints that individual efforts alone could not overcome. The findings suggest the need for support systems responsive to Koryoin’s living conditions and life transitions, public interpreting and interagency collaboration arrangements that support professionals’ mediation, and community integration policies grounded in empathy and recognition.
KW - Koryoin;local community settlement;lived experiences of settlement support;field professionals;hermeneutic phenomenology
DO - 10.14431/jms.2026.10.19.3.123
ER -
Eunmi Kim and Buhyeon Nam. (2026). Forging Connections at the Boundaries: Field Professionals’ Lived Experiences of Supporting Koryoin Settlement. The Journal of Multicultural Society, 19(3), 123-168.
Eunmi Kim and Buhyeon Nam. 2026, "Forging Connections at the Boundaries: Field Professionals’ Lived Experiences of Supporting Koryoin Settlement", The Journal of Multicultural Society, vol.19, no.3 pp.123-168. Available from: doi:10.14431/jms.2026.10.19.3.123
Eunmi Kim, Buhyeon Nam "Forging Connections at the Boundaries: Field Professionals’ Lived Experiences of Supporting Koryoin Settlement" The Journal of Multicultural Society 19.3 pp.123-168 (2026) : 123.
Eunmi Kim, Buhyeon Nam. Forging Connections at the Boundaries: Field Professionals’ Lived Experiences of Supporting Koryoin Settlement. 2026; 19(3), 123-168. Available from: doi:10.14431/jms.2026.10.19.3.123
Eunmi Kim and Buhyeon Nam. "Forging Connections at the Boundaries: Field Professionals’ Lived Experiences of Supporting Koryoin Settlement" The Journal of Multicultural Society 19, no.3 (2026) : 123-168.doi: 10.14431/jms.2026.10.19.3.123
Eunmi Kim; Buhyeon Nam. Forging Connections at the Boundaries: Field Professionals’ Lived Experiences of Supporting Koryoin Settlement. The Journal of Multicultural Society, 19(3), 123-168. doi: 10.14431/jms.2026.10.19.3.123
Eunmi Kim; Buhyeon Nam. Forging Connections at the Boundaries: Field Professionals’ Lived Experiences of Supporting Koryoin Settlement. The Journal of Multicultural Society. 2026; 19(3) 123-168. doi: 10.14431/jms.2026.10.19.3.123
Eunmi Kim, Buhyeon Nam. Forging Connections at the Boundaries: Field Professionals’ Lived Experiences of Supporting Koryoin Settlement. 2026; 19(3), 123-168. Available from: doi:10.14431/jms.2026.10.19.3.123
Eunmi Kim and Buhyeon Nam. "Forging Connections at the Boundaries: Field Professionals’ Lived Experiences of Supporting Koryoin Settlement" The Journal of Multicultural Society 19, no.3 (2026) : 123-168.doi: 10.14431/jms.2026.10.19.3.123
