The Korean-Uzbeks of Brooklyn

Korean Uzbeks are ethnic Koreans that were deported from Vladivostok to Central Asia (specifically Uzbekistan) in 1937 by Joseph Stalin. Over the generations, the Korean population lost their Korean language and customs and adapted to a Russian way of living and worldview. About 20 years ago, through asylum and the Diversity Immigration Lottery program, many Korean Uzbeks immigrated to the United States, specifically New York, and have created a community in predominantly Russian-speaking communities like Brighton Beach and Rego Park. Over the course of a year, I reached out to several members in the Korean Uzbek community to tell their stories. I wrote an article and shot the accompanying photos, which were eventually published in PRI’s The World section and Calvert Journal.

Published in PRI Global Post - Sep 30, 2019

Published in Calvert Journal - Jan 17, 2020

Photographed Aug 2018 - Sep 2019