Traditionally, Korea has been ethnically homogeneous. Until recently, interethnic communication has received little attention from communication researchers. Instead, most intercultural communication research has focused on the unique worldview and cultural patterns of Koreans. Over the past decade, however, minority populations in [Page 81]Korea have grown rapidly due to increases of immigrant workers and international marriages. Korean researchers are now directing attention to social issues as part of the advent of a multicultural era in the country.

This entry describes the fundamentals of Korean culture and society, Korean thinking patterns and their social implications, the growing interethnic encounters and the social problems caused by these encounters, and the human rights of immigrant workers, foreign brides, and Korean mothers-in-law.