Kim Chang Jin. Lost Paradise: The phenomenon of ‘Soviet Korean Advanced Kolkhozes’ in Central Asia (Part 2) // The Russian Peasant Studies. 2024. V.9. №4. P. 159-177.
DOI: 10.22394/2500-1809-2024-9-4-159-177
Annotation
In the history of Soviet kolkhoz (collective-farm) research, the ‘advanced kolkhoz (millionaire) phenomenon’ remains almost unexplored, although it was a notable social-economic phenomenon. Members of the Korean advanced kolkhozes in Central Asia, which operated since the late 1930s to the 1980s, at first adapted to the kolkhoz system through hard work, but later became very active in creating social-cultural institutions within the kolkhoz system for common benefit (not only ethnic Koreans but also natives). Regionally, the overwhelming majority of Korean advanced kolkhozes, including the legendary ‘Polar Star’ and ‘Politotdel’, were active in Uzbekistan, followed by Kazakhstan. Perhaps, Korean advanced kolkhozes in Central Asia reached the peak of the Soviet-style socialist agricultural civilization in the 1960s — 1970s. These well-to-do Korean kolkhozes in Central Asia developed a strong social infrastructure in their community as a basis for the contemporary living culture. Local common assets were formed from their own abundant undivided funds, consumption and cultural funds. However, what is more important is that Korean kolkhozes-millionaires not only built an excellent material and technical foundation in the villages based on their high economic performance, but also created harmonious multiethnic communities while enjoying various social benefits similar to city life.
Keywords
Soviet Korean advanced kolkhoz, Central Asia, community-wealth building, competent dedicated leader, efficient labor organization, kolkhoz garden city, multiethnic community.
About the author
Kim Chang Jin, Dsc (Political Science), Professor, SungKongHoe University. 320 Yeon Dongro, Guro Gu, Seoul, Korea; Visiting Researcher, Institute of Asian Studies, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, 71 Al-Farabi Avenue, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
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