Analysing the history of the beginning of transnational adoption to the Netherlands, and with it the history of Korean adoption to the Netherlands, reveals that this development was spearheaded by...Show moreAnalysing the history of the beginning of transnational adoption to the Netherlands, and with it the history of Korean adoption to the Netherlands, reveals that this development was spearheaded by concerned Dutch citizens who organised themselves, with guidance from the government, to form the first Dutch adoption agency: Stichting Interlandelijke Adoptie. Korean adoption agencies, especially Korea Social Service, reacted eagerly to the demand in the Netherlands, driven by economic incentives and the maturation of the institutional space wherein adoption agencies operated in South Korea. As the number of children in childcare facilities peaked around 1967, adoption agencies sought to expand their adoption programme to more countries; outsourcing the childcare to foreign families (while getting paid for), compared to increasing the capacity of domestic care facilities, was the only financially viable choice. In a perfect storm, the confluence of socio-cultural and economic circumstances led to the emergence of transnational adoption as a lasting phenomenon, in both the Netherlands and South Korea.Show less
In light of creating more mutual understanding between South Korea and the Netherlands, this thesis studies and compares the general organizational cultures of South Korean and Dutch businesses by...Show moreIn light of creating more mutual understanding between South Korea and the Netherlands, this thesis studies and compares the general organizational cultures of South Korean and Dutch businesses by focusing on the view of a sample population of employees from each country. Consequently, the question this thesis attempts to answer is: ‘How do the organizational cultures of South Korean and Dutch businesses compare, as viewed through the eyes of the general employee?’ This thesis consideres every organization that employs people as a business. Furthermore, this thesis defines organizational culture as ‘values, norms, behaviors and work practices of the members in an organization’. To test the hypothesis that the two current organizational cultures of businesses in South Korea and the Netherlands are similar to each other, despite the different ways in which the organizational cultures of the two countries have been shaped, this thesis made use of a survey method to research how employees viewed their organizational culture. The survey combined qualitative and quantitative approaches through close-ended answers and deeper delving, open-ended answers. Subsequently, the survey was distributed to employees from all different kinds of job positions and workplaces within both South Korea and the Netherlands. The results of this study show that there are many similarities between the organizational cultures of South Korean and Dutch businesses, such as an occasional need to work overtime, after-work gatherings initiated by colleagues, a feeling of being heard by their boss and colleagues and a generally decent job satisfaction. Differences between the countries include a difference in flexibility of working hours, different views on obedience towards people in higher positions and different views on the need for strong personal bonds with collegues. Overall, the organizational cultures of businesses in South Korea and the Netherlands were found to contain more similarities than differences.Show less
South Korea’s positioning in the international climate change discourse is ambiguous. It’s considered a role model on green growth and combatting climate change whilst having increasing emissions....Show moreSouth Korea’s positioning in the international climate change discourse is ambiguous. It’s considered a role model on green growth and combatting climate change whilst having increasing emissions. Using realist theory, this research lays bare the benefits of this ambiguous position. Protecting its non-Annex I status whilst promoting green initiatives allows South Korea to avoid international criticism and taking on (more) responsibility on combatting climate change. At the same time, promoting the notion that South Korea is a ‘role model’ on combatting climate change raises its international standing, allows it to enact multiple leadership roles, and thus increases its political autonomy. Ultimately, the case of South Korea is notable because it lays bare how one can position itself in the global climate change discourse.Show less
People tend to have stereotypes and thoughts about people with different racial backgrounds. This paper looks into the stereotypes that can be found in Korean romantic comedy dramas. The research...Show morePeople tend to have stereotypes and thoughts about people with different racial backgrounds. This paper looks into the stereotypes that can be found in Korean romantic comedy dramas. The research looks specifically into non-Asian characters played by non-Koreans, drawing on analyses of thirty dramas aired between 2000 and 2020. It focuses on the differences between Black and White characters’ portrayal, but also between male and female characters. Assuming that the media influences people’s opinions, the analyses focus on giving insights into the opinions of Koreans on foreigners. The results show that Black characters tend to have more prominent roles in dramas than White characters. In terms of gender, men’s characters have professions more often than women’s. Finally, concerning stereotypes, such as White people’s arrogance was partly supported, while most other stereotypes, such as women’s sex-typing and Black people’s negativity, are rejected.Show less
South Korea is a prosperous country and its citizens have enjoyed some of the benefits brought on by said prosperity. However, South Korean citizens still lack a comprehensive law that protects...Show moreSouth Korea is a prosperous country and its citizens have enjoyed some of the benefits brought on by said prosperity. However, South Korean citizens still lack a comprehensive law that protects them against discrimination. While there are some individual anti-discrimination laws in place that cover certain areas of discrimination there is yet to be one comprehensive anti-discrimination law that serves as general protection against discrimination for all citizens. South Korea does currently not have comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation but there have been multiple attempts at implementing such legislation over the years. So, why exactly is it that 14 years after the first anti-discrimination bill attempt Korea still finds itself without anti-discrimination legislation? By looking at both the past and the present of anti-discrimination legislation in South Korea we will be able to get a better understanding of the legislation’s future and its prospects. To see why South Korea so far been unable to implement comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation and if there is a chance for this legislation to come into being in the forseable future.Show less
Ilminjuŭi is generally known for an ideology that President Syngman Rhee attempted to use in the early years of the First Republic in order to create a single-minded unity. There are many writings...Show moreIlminjuŭi is generally known for an ideology that President Syngman Rhee attempted to use in the early years of the First Republic in order to create a single-minded unity. There are many writings about Syngman Rhee, and he is often portrayed as a nationalist and staunch anti-communist. However, the part where he tried to promote Ilminjuŭi and how this ideology functioned during his rule, often gets overlooked. Ilminjuŭi has been only a minor focus of studies on Syngman Rhee and his long career of fighting for an independent Korea and for what he thought was right. Most of the existing literature explain what Ilminjuŭi is, who created it, and that Rhee tried to use this idea of creating a single-minded unity during the early years First Republic, before the start of the Korean War. This thesis therefore distinguishes from existing literature by looking at primary sources from Korean news articles during the time of the entire First Republic. The news articles are used to give an idea how Ilminjuŭi was reported through media and how this idea was being disseminated. The ideology seems to have died out shortly after the Rhee period. Therefore, I went on an academic journey to analyze how and where this ideology was most influential, and where was the turning point that led to Ilminjuŭi becoming less influential in Korean society. The research questions of my thesis are therefore, “How was Ilminjuŭi spread and reported through media, and spread by the government during the First Republic?” and secondly, “What were possible indicators that led to the vanishment of Ilminjuŭi?”.Show less
