The purpose of this study is to explore how the identity of Sakhalin Koreans has been made since the permanent repatriation and what the social interaction affect the identity of them. For instance, how was their life before the permanent repatriation for Sakhalin Koreans? Currently, how the life in South Korea affect the identity of Sakhalin Koreans? This study tried to figure out the meaning of the permanent repatriation for Sakhalin Koreans and the way their old residency and present residency have affected each other.
The photo voice research method was done to 7 participants of this study during 3 months and the data were analyzed to fulfill the above objectives. The meanings of the permanent repatriation for Sakhalin Koreans derived from their experiences are presented in three subjects as follows: ‘their homesick and sadness living in Sakhalin as foreigners’, ‘trying to return to home country, Korea’, ‘the border of attraction toward their home country and extrusion from their home country since their permanent repatriation.’Based on above results, I proposed we need to construct more cultural networks with Koreans abroad like Sakhalin Koreans. (Inha University)