On Saturday, October 25, 2025, Lecturer Joonha Park delivered a research presentation titled “What Is ‘Anshin’ (Security) in Integrative Cultural Adaptation? A Psychological Consideration of Zainichi Koreans through Pachinko” at the “Global Citizenship and the Korean Diaspora” International Academic Conference, co-hosted by Doshisha Women’s College of Liberal Arts and the Academy of Korean Studies.
This presentation focused on the importance of “anshin (security)” as a psychological foundation for adaptation in multicultural societies. Using Min Jin Lee’s novel Pachinko as a case study, it examined from a psychological perspective how the social exclusion and stigma experienced by Zainichi Koreans have undermined “anshin” and “belongingness,” thereby hindering integrative cultural adaptation.
The conference also featured a special lecture by the author Min Jin Lee. She spoke about the “humanity” embedded in her work, noting that it can be shared with readers across borders, cultures, and languages. Her message serves as a reminder of the importance of “empathy and understanding of humanity,” one of the starting points of global citizenship.
