Sport and the dynamics of socialization among Koreans in Uzbekistan

This article examines the social adaptation processes of Koreans deported from the Russian Far East in 1937-1938 as they settled into the sociocultural environment of Central Asia. Particular attention is given to the role of physical culture and sports as key mechanisms facilitating integration into Uzbek society. Sports organizations and clubs functioned not only as means of physical development but also as important channels for social participation, contributing to the formation of cohesive communities and a shared diaspora identity. Analysis of archival materials and historical sources demonstrates how participation in both mass and professional sports supported the preservation of Koreans’ ethnocultural distinctiveness under conditions affecting cultural continuity. Drawing on examples from specific sports disciplines and incorporating a gender perspective, the study traces the contribution of the Korean diaspora to the development of the sports movement in Uzbekistan during the mid-twentieth century and its subsequent evolution in the post-Soviet period. The contemporary stage, characterized by intensified sports cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Republic of Korea, highlights the continued relevance of sports as a medium for intercultural dialogue, cultural continuity, and the expression of Korean identity. Overall, the findings underscore the multidimensional role of physical culture in supporting social adaptation, fostering community cohesion, and mediating the historical legacies of deportation.