The Latin American Journal of Asia Studies is currently accepting submissions for the special issue "Korean Studies from Latin America." This call for papers aims to explore various perspectives on Korea-Latin America relations, covering political, economic, cultural, and other aspects. While this call is broad and seeks to encompass a variety of approaches and viewpoints, some of the encouraged topics include:
Diplomacy and International Relations: Analysis of diplomatic relations, bilateral and multilateral agreements, and the influence of South Korea in Latin America, and vice versa.
Cultural Diplomacy: Examination of South Korea’s soft power in Latin America, particularly through initiatives such as K-pop, technology, public diplomacy, and their role in shaping public perception between both regions.
Global Economy and Trade: The impact of economic and trade relations between South Korea and Latin America, including treaties, investments, and cooperation in key sectors such as technology, innovation, and energy.
Migration: Study of Korean communities in Latin America and migration dynamics, as well as the cultural and social tensions and synergies arising from these movements.
Historical and Comparative Perspectives: Research on the historical ties between South Korea and Latin America, comparisons with other intercontinental relations, and how these have evolved over time.
Submit your article here! Deadline: October 15, 2025
Please read through all the information available at the following link.
With the aim of elaborating on the implications of the People's Republic of China's new diaspora diplomacy approach—emerging in the 2010s—beyond the well-documented objectives related to development and foreign policy (e.g., investments, aid), this study explores the intersections and mutual reinforcements between diaspora diplomacy initiatives in Latin America and processes of political organization and local-level activism among segments of the Chinese diaspora. This conjuncture—aligned with China's rise as a global power—has, on the one hand, created spaces in which diaspora individuals and groups are increasingly regarded as valuable assets for strengthening economic, social, and cultural ties between China and their countries of residence. On the other hand, it has also generated new opportunities and fostered greater confidence among some of these groups to embrace, revive, highlight, or reinterpret their “Chinese roots” in front of local audiences. However, rather than viewing this solely as an internal identity process, “re-Sinization” has supported political action among diaspora groups—including descendants—and the articulation of their own interests within their respective local contexts. These developments are largely shaped by each group’s historical trajectories and the sociopolitical environments in which they are embedded today. Seeking to delve deeper into this phenomenon, this study examines how the “re-Sinization” of the Chinese diaspora takes distinct forms in Mexico and Brazil with regard to local-level political engagement. In Brazil, due to historical trajectories, a higher degree of social integration, and sustained ties with China, diaspora groups are actively involved in China’s overseas diplomacy efforts while simultaneously participating more openly in local political processes. In contrast, in Mexico—where the Chinese community has experienced a history of severe and violent discrimination—the current forms of political engagement are more introspective, centered on both internal and external historical recognition, and on the identity reconstruction and acceptance of Chinese descendants.
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