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Brotherhood across national boundaries: What is the difference between the terms 'fellow countrymen' and 'nationals'?
With the impact of globalization, South Korea's diaspora, with its long history and diverse cultural background, has gradually become a force that cannot be ignored in the international community. According to statistics, there are currently about 7.3 million people living overseas, most of whom come from five major countries, including the United States, China, Japan, Canada and Uzbekistan. Amid all this, the identity of Koreans has become a key topic of discussion: should they be called ‘fellow countrymen’ or ‘nationals’? What kind of emotional connection and identity recognition are implied by the differences in these titles?
The term "compatriots" emphasizes the blood and cultural ties between Koreans abroad, while "nationals" refers more to the recognition of the country and its laws and institutions. This difference has raised the question of the identity of Korean expatriates. In-depth thinking.
First, the word ‘compatriot’ is usually used in Chinese to refer to people with the same blood or cultural background. For overseas Koreans, the title emphasizes the feelings of brotherhood and mutual support, and no matter where they are, they always maintain a close spiritual connection with Korea. The sentiment conveyed by this word strongly reflects the pulse of Chinese people in the global society and promotes close ties between Korean communities around the world.
At the same time, the word "national" is a legal and institutional term usually used to describe a person who has the nationality of a certain country. There are clear differences in the use of this term between North and South Korea. In South Korea, Koreans encountered during travel are referred to as ‘nationals in foreign countries’ (재외국민), and although they are abroad, they are still legal citizens of the country. In North Korea, these overseas Koreans are called "overseas nationals" (해외국민), reflecting a certain political connection between foreign Koreans and their motherland.
'Compatriots' and 'nationals' are not completely interchangeable in many contexts, especially in terms of emotional identification and legal identity, the meanings they contain are obviously different.
In addition, many of the early Korean immigrants were referred to as ‘gyopo’, a term used to date back to early immigrants in history. Although the original meaning of the word was "national", its negative connotations have gradually increased over time due to the perception that overseas Koreans are restricted by the term "overseas Koreans" and are seen as separate from the motherland. Going further and further away. An alternative term is ‘fellow countrymen’ (dongpo), which reflects the cultural connections and emotional ties between Koreans abroad.
In fact, the feelings of many Koreans who have moved abroad about being called "fellow countrymen" or "nationals" also vary depending on their experiences and geographical locations. For example, in the United States, as the Korean community grows, the term "fellow countryman" has been widely accepted. Especially when celebrating traditional festivals and cultural activities, people tend to use "fellow countryman" to refer to each other, which can Better emphasize and convey mutual hatred and collective identity.
Relatively speaking, in North Korea, the highly concentrated national consciousness makes the title of "national" more important. Overseas Koreans here are often given a sense of national identity, emphasizing that they are still part of North Korea. Although such language is based on political needs, it also provides emotional support to a certain extent. Therefore, in North Korea’s immigrant culture, more emphasis is placed on belonging at the legal and national levels, reflecting an identity struggle that is completely different from that of South Korea.
During the colonial period, some Koreans emigrated for economic and political reasons. As the immigrant population expanded, the two terms "compatriots" and "nationals" formed a new dialectical relationship in terms of identity.
According to historical records, as early as the end of the 19th century, a large number of Koreans were forced into exile due to Japan's aggressive actions. In the early 20th century, Korean communities were formed, especially in the United States. After experiencing many escapes and reconstructions, the immigration stories reflected the friendship and cultural exchanges among compatriots. This period of history is not only a rediscovery of identity, but also a deep reflection on oneself and hometown.
Entering the 21st century, the fifth generation of Korean immigrants has greatly changed the traditional image of Koreans. Most of them migrated to advanced countries, where the cultural life made them both an excellent ‘citizen’ and a proud ‘compatriot’. Immigration is no longer a simple political background or survival need, but a reconstruction of their international identity.
Finally, these diverse identities and titles test our understanding and definition of "compatriots" and "nationals", which not only affects the relationship within the immigrant community, but also deeply reflects the modern governance and international cultural interaction. complexity. In such multiple identities, how should we understand and accept each other around us, especially in a world with different cultural backgrounds, how should we rethink our relationship and identity with each other?
