Zainichi as an Exile: The Diaspora Literary World of the Poet Kim Shijong

Hyoungduck Kwak

doi:10.4312/as.2025.13.sup.67-89

Authors

KWAK Hyoungduck Myongji University, Seoul, South Korea

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4312/as.2025.13.sup.67-89

Keywords:

Kim Shijong, Zainichi Korean literature, Jeju April 3rd Incident, diaspora literature, Great East Japan Earthquake, historical trauma, minority literature

Abstract

This study explores the diasporic journey and literary contributions of Kim Shijong, a significant figure in Zainichi Korean literature. Born during the Japanese colonial era and having participated in the Jeju April 3rd Incident, Kim sought asylum in Japan, where he lived under another name and engaged in various social and political movements. His poetry, written in Japanese, reflects the complex interplay of personal trauma, historical tragedies, and the ongoing struggles of the Korean diaspora. The analysis explores Kim’s literary works, examining how his experiences with the Jeju April 3rd Incident, the anti-nuclear movement, and the Great East Japan Earthquake are interwoven with broader themes of displacement, identity, and resistance. By situating Kim Shijong’s works within the context of world literature and diaspora studies, this paper highlights the poet’s efforts to confront and articulate the multifaceted realities of his time, extending his influence beyond national boundaries and contributing to a deeper understanding of Korean and global literary landscapes.

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