Heritage language, identity, and belonging in contexts of forced migration: a systematic review of studies on Korean diasporic communities

This systematic review examines relationships among heritage language, identity, and belonging across three Korean diasporic communities: Zainichi Koreans in Japan, Korean-Chinese in China, and Koryo-saram in the former Soviet Union (mainly Central Asia). These communities were shaped by historically coercive processes associated with Japanese colonial rule, displacement, and subsequent state incorporation. Following PRISMA guidelines, we identified 47 peer-reviewed studies published between 1990 and January 2026. Through iterative coding and discussion, we developed three interrelated themes: (1) heritage-language maintenance and institutional support; (2) heritage language and identity negotiation in host societies; and (3) heritage language, belonging, and social positioning among return migrants in South Korea. The findings show that heritage-language maintenance varies by institutional context, while its relationship with identity is similarly dynamic, varying by generation and social setting. In return-migration contexts, heritage-language proficiency does not necessarily lead to belonging; instead, accent, vocabulary, and interactional style, among other factors, may be evaluated in ways that mark certain individuals as socially different. This review contributes to a more nuanced understanding of how established influences, including state language policies, educational institutions, community practices, family language policies, and intergenerational relationships, take different forms and carry different meanings across different Korean diasporic communities.