This study explores how symbolic capital accumulated by a Joseonjok PhD is converted and constrained within South Korean academia, drawing on Bourdieu's theory of symbolic capital. The Joseonjok are an ethnic Korean minority holding Chinese citizenship, culturally and linguistically close to Korean society, yet legally classified as foreigners. A single Joseonjok participant who obtained a doctoral degree in South Korea was selected, and four in-depth interviews were conducted. Data were analyzed using the three-dimensional narrative inquiry space. Narrative inquiry is appropriate for single-case studies, enabling deep understanding of individual experience within broader social structures. The findings reveal that the participant accumulated symbolic capital through doctoral training and academic relationships. This capital converted into lecturer and research professor positions, but not into a full professorship. Native-level Korean proficiency, a defining characteristic distinguishing the Joseonjok from other foreign researchers, proved advantageous in communication and relationship-building. However, institutional exclusion as a foreigner emerged in research grant applications and faculty appointment processes. Two discussions are presented. First, the "same ethnicity" discourse operated selectively: the participant was positioned as an insider in linguistic and cultural contexts, yet excluded as a foreigner institutionally, revealing selective inclusion and exclusion. Second, although the participant partially entered the academic field through linguistic advantage, structural barriers including research grant eligibility and lack of administrative support prevented full entry. This study extends theoretical discussions on symbolic capital conversion among highly educated migrants and makes visible institutional exclusion structures in international higher education.

Authors:
Miao Dong, Chungnam National University, South Korea
Changsoo Hur, Chungnam National University, South Korea
Yang yang Liu, Chungnam National University, South Korea

About the Presenter(s)
Dong Miao is currently a PhD student in the Department of Education at Chungnam National University in South Korea. I am currently conducting research on the employment experiences of Chinese Korean (Joseonjok) PhDs in Korea.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

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