Perceptions of Juche ideology by expats in North Korea: A qualitative study

The central research question of this qualitative study was: What are expatriate perceptions of North Korean (Juche) ideology? Other studies on Juche have examined Juche from religious, political, or missiological lenses. However, few qualitative studies have been done on this subject. While it is nearly impossible to conduct research with North Koreans living in North Korea, this study collected data from nine expatriates who had lived in North Korea around the time of the interviews. From the data, two major categories emerged: the foundational influences and function of Juche. The results indicate that the participants perceive Juche to be influenced by Korean culture, nationalism, and humanism, while the participants understand the function of Juche as a system of control, a religion, and an ideology.

Virtual and Open Integration of Culture for Education (VOICE) with Science Teacher Candidates from Korea during COVID-19

Cultural competencies and confidence in teaching diverse students are needed to close achievement gaps between mainstream and minority students in science. In this study, an online teacher education program, Virtual and Open Integration of Culture for Education (VOICE), was designed to help retain teacher candidates’ science affinities and cultural competency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty-two Korean teacher candidates were selected as culturally responsive instructors who were able to reduce their cultural bias and preferences about Korean culture and develop culturally responsive instruction. VOICE proceeded through (1) “collaborating,” by connecting seminar speakers worldwide; (2) “designing,” by creating culturally responsive science activities based on Korean culture; and (3) “performing,” by communicating with American students, teacher candidates, teachers, and parents. Pre- and post-survey results show that VOICE increased the teacher candidates’ cultural proficiency and interest in science. Guidelines for research on designing online programs to enhance teacher candidates’ science affinities and cultural competencies are provided.