Refugee policies often face public resistance, but new research from the University of Michigan suggests a fresh approach: drawing on shared wartime experiences. Highlighting historical parallels between a country’s past displacements and the struggles of modern refugees can boost empathy and reduce hostility. This is especially true for people with personal or family histories of forced relocation. By contrast, wartime experiences that don’t involve displacement may do the opposite—stirring fears and lowering support.
The study focuses on South Korea, a country shaped by the Korean War and the displacement of millions. Despite its economic success, South Korea accepts very few refugees. In 2018, when hundreds of Yemenis fleeing civil war arrived on Jeju Island, their presence sparked public protests, showing how polarized opinions on refugees remain.
Changing attitudes
To explore what might shift these attitudes, researchers surveyed 2,000 South Koreans. They tested three types of messages: shared war experiences, South Korea’s poor record on refugee acceptance compared to other countries, and the economic benefits of refugees. Participants read one of these messages and then answered questions designed to measure their views. The results, published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution, showed that the shared experience message was the most effective, raising pro-refugee sentiment by 6.5 percentage points.
The study found that the type of wartime experience matters. People with family histories of war-related displacement showed far more empathy for refugees, with positive attitudes jumping nearly 20 percentage points after hearing a shared experience narrative. But for those who had lived through general wartime violence without displacement, the same message often backfired, increasing concerns about refugees as threats to culture, security, and the economy.
“This shows how shared narratives can make a difference,” the authors note. “Connecting past experiences to present challenges can help foster understanding, even in places with little tradition of accepting refugees.”
Fear to the fore
The research highlights the role of fear in shaping public opinion. For people with a history of displacement, empathy-driven messages helped ease fears about cultural clashes, crime, and security risks. These findings suggest that matching public messaging to a country’s historical context can change how refugees are viewed.
Although the study focuses on South Korea, its lessons apply more broadly. Countries with histories of displacement could use similar strategies to improve public attitudes. However, the authors warn that this approach may not work as well in places where such histories are distant or forgotten. In those cases, economic arguments might have a greater impact.
With over 35 million refugees worldwide, understanding how to build public support is more important than ever. The study shows how tapping into shared experiences could be a powerful tool for creating more welcoming societies.
