이주의 역사를 통해 본 해방 후 서울 사람의 지역정체성

초록

This article examines the evolution of Seoulites’ local identity from the Liberation of Ko- rea in 1945 to the present day (2024). The study begins by critiquing the limitations of the existing discourse on ‘Seoul natives (seo-ul-tobagi)’ which has been adopted for several stud- ies of the historicity and uniqueness of Seoul’s culture. To address the shortcomings of the current concept, which is based on the assumption of a ‘stable population settlement,’ this study analyzes various demographic and statistical data that clearly illustrate the dynamic migration patterns of Seoul’s residents. Additionally, it incorporates literary works, oral his- tories, journal articles, and mass media content to address the qualitative deficiencies of the statistical data. The analysis yields several key findings: First, the local identity of contemporary Seoulites appears relatively vague, following a highly dynamic process of mass migration. Second, even within the same neighborhoods, many of today’s Seoulites exhibit diverse forms of local identities. Third, this study identifies new trends in population movement since the 1990s, particularly a strong inward migration within Seoul’s mega-city area, and notable stratifica- tion among its districts and neighborhoods. Lastly, since the early 2000s, globalization and transnationalism have emerged as significant trends, highlighted by the influx of migrant workers in South Korea during this period. The conclusion underscores the necessity for urban studies and policy-making in Seoul to integrate these insights, proposing that a nuanced understanding of these dimensions is crucial for constructing a substantive and actionable knowledge base concerning the local identities, mindset, and behaviors of Seoul’s residents.

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