International Marriage in Korea: A Conversation Between a Foreign Bride and a Korean Mother-in-Law

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session and Reception
  In Interactive Paper Session: Intercultural Communication Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

International marriage arrangements via marriage agencies have become a controversial issue because brokers are not aware of government policy, consider marriage a market for profitable business, and create conflict among unstable new families in which the foreign wives are unequal (Constable, 2005a; Jones & Shen, 2008). There is a lack of empirical research to address this particular issue in Korea. This paper first reviews the brief background and trends in international marriage in Korea, potential motivations for cross-border marriage, trouble sources, and cultural differences that complicate the international marriage to understand the dark side of international marriage arrangements in Korea. After providing literature reviews and trends of international marriage and its problems, the phone conversation data collected for this study will be analyzed in hopes of not only understanding the common problems that international marriage in Korea might encounter but also making recommendations for future implication.

Author

• Jihye Kim, The University of Texas at Austin