GENDER ROLES AND LINGUISTIC PRACTICES IN THE LITERARY DISCOURSE OF THE KOREAN WAR

The Korean War (1950War ( -1953) ) significantly impacted Korean society and left a profound imprint on its cultural narrative, particularly in literature.One crucial aspect of representing war events in literary works is the language of war and survival, which acquires specific characteristics depending on the gender roles of the characters.Examining the gender dimension of discourse in Korean wartime literature allows for a deeper understanding of sociocultural transformations and the war's influence on the reinterpretation of traditional gender roles.An analysis of literary sources shows that male characters in works about the Korean War are often depicted as warriors and protectors, whose language is saturated with military terminology, emphasizing their bravery and duty to their homeland.Female characters are traditionally portrayed as guardians of the home, whose speech is filled with care, anxiety, and hope.However, some works reveal the breakdown of established stereotypes: women who have lost their husbands or sons are forced to take on new social roles, reflected in a change in their language, which becomes more determined and assertive.A separate aspect of the study concerns the language associated with survival under wartime conditions.Literature from this period reflects the rise of sexual exploitation of women, including the theme of prostitution, often accompanied by social critique and an exposure of society's double moral standards.In such works, the language of female characters demonstrates not only their vulnerability but also their aspiration for dignity and independence in the face of war.Thus, studying the language of war and survival through a gendered lens reveals the complex interplay between war, social transformations, and linguistic practices.The war not only intensified traditional gender differences but also contributed to their transformation, which was reflected in the literary discourse.Future research may focus on an in-depth analysis of individual authors, comparative studies with the literature of other countries that have experienced similar military conflicts, and the impact of these changes on contemporary Korean culture and gender relations.