Minorities in Samarkand: A Case Study of the City's Koreans*.

The article discusses the assimilation of Koreans who were relocated to Samarkand in the Soviet Union prior to World War II. Koreans were among many ethnic groups deported or evacuated into Uzbekistan and engaged in agriculture through the production of rice despite poor living conditions on collective farms. Oral histories reveal linguistic and cultural conflicts between Koreans and Uzbeks on collective farms. During World War II, Koreans learned to speak Russian and were able to deal directly with the Soviet government. Korean farm land was later redistributed to Uzbek farmers and Koreans migrated to urban areas of Samarkand while continuing to work on farms. The family history of Korean resident Viktor Tsoj is presented.