Adaptation processes of Koreans in Surkhandaryo province

Бюллетень науки и практики / Bulletin of Science and Practice

UDC 930.85                                        

The deportation of Koreans living in the Far East by the government of the Soviet Union in 1937 occupies a special place in the historical processes of the 20th century. This forced relocation by Stalin`s regime led to tens of thousands of Koreans being forcibly removed from their homes and deported to republics such as Kazakhstan SSR and Uzbekistan SSR without any special preparation. Despite the fact that in 1937-1938, a few Korean families were moved to Surkhandarya region, one of the southern regions of the Uzbek SSR, from the second half of the 1950s, these numbers increased significantly. This article examines how Koreans adapt and integrate into society in Surkhondarya region, in particular, in Shorchi district, based on scientific materials, and analyzes the processes of socio-economic and cultural adaptation after Koreans moved to Surkhondarya region. The purpose of the research is to study the process of adaptation of ethnic Koreans to Surkhandarya region from different aspects and to shed light on their integration into social, economic and cultural life.

There are a number of scientific works, dissertations and monographs about the deportation of Koreans to Central Asia and their socio-economic life. These resources provide a comprehensive study of the deportation process and its effects. We will analyze some of them below, candidate thesis. Vladimir Kim`s candidate`s thesis “Relocation of Koreans to Central Asia and their socioeconomic life (1937-1950)” [1] covers the economic life and social problems of deported Koreans. This dissertation examines the difficulties faced by the Koreans as a result of the harsh decisions of the Soviet government and how they survived economically in the process.

N. V. Kim’s work “Cultural and literary life of Koreans in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan” [2] analyzes the development of korean culture and literature after deportation. How the deportation process affected korean culture and literary life is also an important part of this dissertation. Another local korean researcher Anatoly Pak`s dissertation “Koreans deported to Central Asia and their integration process” [3] analyzes the process of adaptation of Koreans to a new social environment after their deportation to Uzbekistan. This study shows how Koreans integrated into the new society while preserving their culture.

Kim German Aleksandrovich`s monograph “The life of deported Koreans in the Uzbekistan SSR” [4] focuses on the living conditions of Koreans in the Uzbekistan SSR, their activity in labor unions, and their place in social life. It is analyzed how the deported Koreans achieved new life opportunities under the conditions of the Soviet regime.

Z. Pak`s monograph “History and culture of the Korean diaspora in Uzbekistan” [5] covers the history and culture of the Korean diaspora on a wide scale. In the work, the processes of integration of Koreans in the society of Uzbekistan and preservation of their cultural identity are deeply analyzed. Elena Kim`s work “Koreans in the Soviet Union: History, Deportation and Integration” [6] is devoted to the process of deportation of Koreans during the Soviet era and their subsequent integration. Important historical stages and social changes in the life of Koreans are reflected in the work.

This article is written using historical and sociological research methods to study the adaptation processes of Koreans after their forced deportation to Surkhandarya region. The main research methods are as follows:

Historical-analytical method was chosen as the main research approach. This method helps to understand the deportation of Koreans during the Soviet Union and their socio-economic integration in the Surkhandarya region. Contribution of the Korean diaspora to agriculture, their role in society, and other social phenomena were analyzed based on historical documents, archival materials, and Soviet-era decisions. The materials of the Central State Archive of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the archives of the Surkhandarya region and the archives of the districts (for example, Fund 35, Fund 184 and other funds) became the main source.

A sociological-analytical method was used to study the processes of adaptation and social integration of Koreans to a new environment. Using this method, the social, cultural and economic adaptations of Korean communities and their interactions with the local population were studied. Archival materials serve as the main source for analyzing the conditions under which the resettled Koreans lived, what kind of housing was built for them, and how their economic activities went.

Numerical data presented in the documents (for example, productivity indicators, number of labor force and financial income) were processed using the method of statistical analysis, and the efficiency of the economic activity of Koreans was evaluated. The progress achieved by the Koreans was determined through indicators of rice, vegetables and rice products grown in the "Iskra" collective farm in Shorchi district. At the same time, materials related to housing construction and infrastructure development organized for settlers were also analyzed.

Deportation reasons and conditions. In the late 1930s, the deportation of Koreans took place against the background of increased control over political and ethnic groups in the Soviet Union. Stalin`s regime forcibly relocated Koreans from the Far East and resettled them in the southern regions of the country. Although one of the official reasons for the deportation of Koreans was given as protecting Koreans from the threat of Japanese espionage, in reality the process was part of a strategy for ethnic control, economic development of the Soviet South, and removal of Koreans from areas deemed unreliable. The deportation plan was initiated on August 21, 1937 by a secret decree approved by Stalin. Stalin gave the head of the NKVD (People`s Commissariat of Internal Affairs) Lavrentiy Beria a special task to resettle Koreans. According to the order, all citizens of Korean nationality , mainly from the Primorsk region of the Far East, were to be relocated to the Central Asian republics, in particular to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The resettlement of the Korean minority in the Uzbekistan SSR was carried out in several stages. Initially, Koreans relocated in September-November were placed mainly in the unexploited reserves and wetlands of Tashkent region, Karakalpakstan ASSR and Khorezm regions, in the spring and summer of 1938, the second part of relocated Koreans were dispersed to all regions [7].

Koreans relocated to Surkhandarya region initially started life in very difficult conditions. At that time, there was a high demand for labor resources to implement large-scale agricultural works in the region. The Koreans brought with them experience in horticulture, vegetable growing and rice cultivation, which are important branches of agriculture. Surkhandarya region, located in the southern part of Uzbekistan, is distinguished by its mountainous regions and arid climate. In the 1930s, the province was mainly engaged in agriculture, which created a favorable environment for Koreans to experiment with agriculture. Despite the lack of irrigation systems in the region, the achievements of the Koreans in agriculture and hard work helped them to adapt to the new conditions.

Housing construction and economic infrastructure were not at a satisfactory level in many areas where Koreans were settled in Shorchi district of Surkhandarya region. In 1957, the Koreans who were moved to the “Iskra” collective farm, Shorchi district, Surkhandarya region, faced a lack of housing and poor economic conditions. For example, according to the documents, construction work on collective farms was not completed and 15 farms were forced to move due to mismanagement. [7].

When Koreans moved to a new place, their main life problem was housing and infrastructure. According to the documents, 162 able-bodied people worked in the Iskra collective farm in the first year, and they worked together as a team [7].

From 1958 to 1967, more than 1,500 Koreans immigrated to the region, making the number of Koreans in the region more than 6,000. By 1958, the provincial leadership was planning to plow new land and adapt to new places for resettled Koreans [8].

“Iskra” collective farm in Shorchi district was one of the important agricultural centers for Koreans. In 1957, 150 hectares of crops were planted in this collective farm, mainly rice and vegetables [7].

Also, it is noted in the documents that it is planned to get a high yield from rice and rice products. Adaptation process of Koreans Social and cultural integration Koreans formed communities based on mutual support and tried to adapt to a new life faster. In the Iskra collective farm in Shorchi district, Koreans were known for their hard work and achieved great success in agriculture. According to archive materials, products grown by Koreans had a positive effect on the economy of Surkhandarya region. In 1957, 435,000 soums of income was expected in this collective farm, so 393,000 soums were the income from cultivated areas [7].

At that time, agriculture was the main type of economic activity for Koreans in the region. They have achieved great success in growing cotton, rice and vegetables. In 1957, 45 quintals of rice and 270 quintals of vegetables were planned to be harvested from one hectare of “Iskra” collective farm, and these figures were more than fulfilled [3].

Also, the Koreans have done a lot of work on the development of additional unused land near water bodies in other regions of the province, suitable for rice cultivation. For example, in 1958, 1,200 hectares of land were prepared by the Koreans in the region for development of new land, and 500 hectares of it were adapted for irrigation [9].

Since the 1960s, they planned the production of agricultural products in Shorchi, Denov, Sherabad and Termiz districts and significantly contributed to the economy of the region [9].

Although the locals were initially suspicious of the Koreans, over time they were accepted into their society due to their hard work and successful results in agriculture. After Koreans arrived in Surkhandarya, they were busy adapting to the new social environment and maintaining their cultural values. Korean communities have formed mutual support networks and strengthened themselves socially. Koreans` relations with the local population gradually improved, as Koreans actively participated not only in economic development, but also in cultural exchanges. They also made efforts to preserve their culture and language by actively participating in schools and vocational training. This contributed to the cultural diversity of the region. For example, in 1958, several Korean families and their children in Shorchi district studied in the local educational system and agricultural institutes, acquired new knowledge and put it into practice [10].

Koreans were forcibly relocated to Surkhonadryo region in 1938, but in the second half of the 1950s, they began to move to the region voluntarily. Although the Koreans faced many social and economic difficulties in the area, they overcame these difficulties due to their strong work ethic and team building. The figures shown in the documents show that the Koreans achieved high efficiency in agriculture and occupied an important place in the economic life of the province. Their contribution to society through the acquired lands and cultivated products was significant.