Anqi Gao

Profile

I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in History at the University of Leeds. Before joining Leeds, I earned my undergraduate degree in Korean language,  and achieving proficiency in the Korean language and participating in an exchange program in South Korea, which significantly enriched my understanding of Korean culture. I further obtained a Master's degree in Korean Linguistics and had the opportunity to participate in an exchange program at Inha University in South Korea. My experience of living in South Korea and working in a Korean company has significantly heightened my awareness of the issues related to ethnic Koreans and North Korean refugees. My research focuses on 'A Study on the Gendered Migration Experiences of North Korean Women Refugees on the Sino-Korean Border (1990-present).' Additionally, I am currently a member of the British Association of Korean Studies.

Research interests

Since the division of the Korean Peninsula and the ensuing military conflict between North and South Korea, a significant number of North Koreans have sought refuge abroad, driven by political oppression and economic hardship. My research centers on the experiences of North Korean women refugees and encompasses a wide array of themes, including transnationalism, CCP "minority" policies, North Korean policies, border dynamics, and the complex issue of national identity among North Korean refugees. This research involves  fieldwork conducted in northeastern China and utilizes in-depth interviews as a methodological approach to offer a comprehensive exploration of the geopolitical perspectives surrounding the migration experiences of North Korean women refugees.The main questions addressed in this study are: How are the physical safety, freedom of movement, and the security of North Korean women refugees and their families endangered by the influence of geopolitical forces? By analyzing the trajectories, transitional phases, and pivotal moments in the migration of North Korean women refugees, what motivations drive their escape from North Korea, and how have these migration patterns evolved from 1990 to the present? Within the context of uncertain and unstable conditions, what life strategies do North Korean women refugees employ, specifically in the preservation of their physical well-being and safety?

Key words for research:

• North Korean Refugees
• North Korean Labour
• Ethnic Koreans in China (Joseonjok)
• Sino- Korean relation
• Migration
• Korean Peninsula

Qualifications

• PhD in History (Current)
• MA in Korean Linguistics
• BA in Korean Studies