ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

This paper examines the psychological sources of current Korean national identity and explores its implications for such political attitudes as patriotism, preference for the image of a unified Korea, and social distance, using a nationally representative survey dataset. Firstly, the study finds that Koreans of 40 years old or younger perceive the elements of civic identity more importantly than those of ethnic identity compared to older Koreans. Secondly, exploratory factor analysis shows, however, there is one underlying dimension for Korean national identity as opposed to citizens of other countries, which may reflect the fact that Korea has been a rare mono-national state. Thirdly, the results also demonstrate that such personality variables as conservatism, authoritarian personality, and security value tend to lead to more recognition on national identity. Forthly, preference on civic identity leads to lower support for reunification based on Korean ethnicity, while it does not lead to support on an alternative image of a unified state. Fifthly, the study shows that preference on civic identity also increases symbolic patriotism while ethnic identity increases the pride in national history. Finally the result demonstrates that preference on ethnic identity unlike civic identity, also increases social distance toward various immigrant groups including North Koreans and Chinese Koreans.

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