NCJ Number
133333
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (1990) Pages: 69-78
Date Published
1990
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examines cultural aspects of serious interpersonal violence among Korean immigrants that warrants police response.
Abstract
The researchers spent 6 months working with the Aurora Police Department (Colorado) which serves the largest Korean immigrant population in the State. Researchers had access to the department's intelligence bureau files, and the field study consisted of working with detectives assigned criminal incidents that involved Koreans. Interviews were conducted with victims, suspects, and witnesses. This study focused on three criminal cases that involved either Koreans only or Koreans and other Asians. The cases consisted of the kidnapping and aggravated assault of a Korean newspaper reporter by seven Korean males, a murder of a Korean woman and attempted suicide by the perpetrator in a Korean bar and restaurant, and the assault of two Korean brothers by Korean collection enforcers for failure to pay gambling debts. The three cases revealed that interpersonal violence is a method of conflict resolution relied upon by Koreans to handle disputes that involve honor. The physical punishment of someone who has dishonored another in the form of an insult, cheating, disrespect, or failure to keep one's word is an acceptable means of restoring the honor of the wronged parties. The study concludes that until Korean immigrants become integrated into American society and the dominant society's means of resolving conflicts under the law, interpersonal violence will continue to be a problem for police in Korean immigrant communities. 7-item bibliography