Koreans are a nation living on the territory of the Korean Peninsula. The world population of this people is more than 82 million people. Of course, most of them live on the land of the states of the same name: the North and the South.
The second place is taken by China. Completes the top three in terms of the number of Koreans - USA. In these states a little more than 2 million people live. Japan is in fourth place. Here, Asians are a little over 900 thousand. Russia is after Canada, which is in fifth place. Among the Russian-speaking nation, 170 thousand Asian people live, while in the North American state there are a little more than 200 thousand. Where do the Koreans come from in Russia?
The majority of the Korean population are atheists, but Buddhists and Christians are also common. At the same time, there are a lot of those only in South Korea, and in the northern part there are mainly those people who still do not adhere to any of the religions.
More details about the life of the nation
Among the population of the Korean peninsula, holidays such as the first year of the birth of the child, New Year, and the 60th anniversary are widely spread. In addition, Harvest Day is celebrated annually, both in South Korea and in North.
The staple food is rice. Most often, Koreans eat it and some other food of animal origin. This is due to the fact that in ancient times, many in the state were not able to afford vegetables and fruits. That is why traditional Korean dishes are represented by the listed species. Seafood is also popular. Most likely, many people know the fact that Koreans prefer spicy food. In their diet, you can often find dishes with a high content of pepper: red, chili or ground.
If we talk about the style of dressing, then this nation, unlike other Asian ones, prefers white in traditional clothes.
Korean names usually consist of three syllables. The last name is written first, followed by the first name. It consists of two parts. The most popular generic names of this nation are Kim, Lee, Pak, Choi (Choi, Choi). After marriage, the woman leaves her maiden name.
Koryo-saram
Koryo-saram is the name of ethnic Koreans who live in post-Soviet territory and are considered descendants of the indigenous representatives of the nation. If we decipher this “name”, then the first part is a reference to the state of the people, which existed from 918 to 1392. "Saram" from the language of this people is translated as "man." But still, many are interested in the question: where did the Koreans come from in Russia?
Who are the Soviet and post-Soviet Koreans? These are people who call themselves direct descendants of Asians, living in the Russian Far East since the 60s of the XIX century. As a rule, they are migrants from the northern regions of the corresponding peninsula. Among them are many Orthodox, Buddhists, Protestants. Most of the representatives of this people speak Russian, but they don’t know their native.
Koreans in Russia began to appear in large numbers since 1860. Migration reached its peak in 1930. It is worth noting that even the revolution could not stop it. Why did Koreans have such a desire to move to Russia? The incentive was the lack of land in their home state, the good attitude of local officials to the people, as well as the occupation by the Land of the Rising Sun. An interesting fact is that the Chinese and Japanese communities in the USSR were destroyed, while the Koreans in Russia were able to survive and even began to develop.
In 1917, more than 100 thousand representatives of this nation already lived here. Most of them were in the Primorsky Territory (90%). When Stalin came to power, the people described were the first to be deported on ethnic grounds. However, already in 1935, according to the census, more than 200 thousand Koreans lived on the territory of the USSR. After 2 years, they were deported to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
It is worth noting that in Primorye before the implementation of these actions by the government, the people developed quite well and quickly. Moreover, the resettlement of Koreans to Russia continued. Two Asian districts, 77 village councils, 400 schools, technical schools, institutes were opened here, and a theater existed. Several Korean magazines and newspapers were published in this area.
In 1993, by order of the government of the Russian Federation, Koryo-Saram were recognized as victims of political repression.
Currently, more than 500 thousand Koreans live in the territory of the former Soviet Union. The leader in their number is Uzbekistan. The second place was taken by the Russian Federation. And how many Koreans live in Russia? According to the census, which was carried out in 2010, more than 150 thousand people live here. After the Soviet Union collapsed, most of the Korean inhabitants migrated to the territory of Russia and Ukraine.
The population of North Korea in Russia
Some of the population of North Korea temporarily or permanently lives in the Russian Federation. Those are students, defectors. According to 2006 data, there were more than 10 thousand people in the territory of the Russian Federation of North Koreans. An interesting fact should be noted: individual members of the Korean labor party, who in the future had a very significant influence, lived in the USSR until the country gained sovereignty. They moved to the DPRK only after its founding.
If you delve into history, it should be said that, since 1953, North Koreans in Russia lived only because they entered higher educational institutions located on the territory of the USSR.
In order to provide the Far East with workers who would perform labor duties at enterprises, 35 thousand people were transported from North Korea. Over time, this number has doubled. Closer to the 60s, North Korea demanded the return of its indigenous people to the state, and 10 thousand people were transported back.
The second wave of sending citizens began in the late 60s of the XIX century.
In fact, Koreans in Russia appeared for more serious reasons. They consist in the fact that unemployment still reigns in the northern part of the country. In 2006, scheduled transportation of citizens began. Only people from cities participated in this project. It is believed that they are easier to adapt to the conditions of the Russian Federation. More than 10 thousand people were transported to the Far East thanks to work visas.
At the moment, the President of North Korea has concluded an agreement with the head of the Russian Federation on increasing the number of people who will work in the territory of the Russian-speaking state. It is worth noting that the wages of IDPs are quite small. 70% of the monthly amount is collected by the country “on account of reliability”.
Refugees from North Korea
Due to the fact that economic growth in North Korea is gradually decreasing, the number of fugitives to Russia is increasing. As of 1999, there were from 100 to 500 people in the territory of the Russian Federation. Unfortunately, there are no more accurate data. Also on the borders of the Russian-speaking country there are a lot of fugitive North Koreans who are not officially registered.
North Koreans in Russia constantly live in the Far East. The vast majority of them fled from labor camps. It is worth noting that the South Korean embassy refuses to provide refugees from the North with shelter assistance, and the Russian government detained at least one fugitive who was trying to get to the consulate. After attempts were made to deport this person.
The Memorial Society is currently helping refugees draw up relevant documents recognizing them as such. It regulates the appeals of people to the bodies of the Federal Migration Service. Only after carrying out this procedure can refugees officially leave their country. Then they come to Moscow and turn to the embassy of South Korea or any other state. Russia provides each migrant with 3 months of temporary asylum. After the expiration of this period, they must obtain refugee status in a particular country and then move there for permanent residence.
"Russian" Koreans
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the governments of South and North Korea began to actively promote their territories. In other words, the struggle for compatriots began. The vast majority drew attention to South Korea. At first, Asians rejoiced that they got good places. However, having worked a little, the Russian Koreans were completely disappointed in their "brothers." They worked seven days a week for a small salary, which they often did not pay. Largely because of this, in the 90s of the 20th century, the number of Koreans migrating to the territory of the Russian Federation increased. For almost their entire lives, these people have adopted the mentality of the country and its customs. Therefore, indigenous people often complain that Russian Koreans in Russia have adopted too many bad habits and are now very similar to the people around them.
Now this diaspora, especially in those places where its representatives work on the earth, forms rather close groups. These people have practically no contact with the population, or rather, with the indigenous people - their interests do not overlap. I would like to say that it would be great if the Koreans and Russians were looking for more common ground. This way ethnic conflicts could be avoided.
Sakhalin Koreans
How many Koreans are in Russia? This is not about the total quantity, but only about the Sakhalin representatives. The number of this diaspora is about 45 thousand people. 10% of them are representatives of Koryo-saram, while the remaining 90% are descendants of South Korean workers who were brought as slaves to Sakhalin. This happened during the annexation of Korea by Japan. All of them still live on Sakhalin Island. Often, people are seen as a separate diaspora that has no contact with other Koreans.
The formation of this group began after 1870. The first census of Koreans on Sakhalin was made by the writer Chekhov, who visited the island. In 1897, according to population estimates, there were a little more than 65 Asians out of 28 thousand inhabitants. In the period from 1905 to 1937. a small group of Sakhalin Koreans, like Koryo-saram, were deported to Central Asia.
Famous Koreans in Russia
Famous Koreans of Russia who were born on the territory of the USSR and the current Russian Federation are Nelly Kim and Victor Tsoi.
Nelly Vladimirovna Kim was born on July 29, 1957. Her birthplace is the city of Shurab, located on the territory of the Tajik SSR. Nelli glorified the Soviet Union as a five-time Olympic champion, five-time world champion, two-time European champion and multiple USSR champion. In 1976, she was awarded the title of Honored Master of Sports.
Her father is a Sakhalin Korean, her mother is a Tatar. She spent her childhood in the south of Kazakhstan. Sports Nelly began to engage in 10 years. And by 1970, she had become a worthy rival. In 1975, Nelly won the European Championships. A year later, she received her third victory at the Montreal Olympics. In 1977, she married a Belarusian gymnast and moved Minsk with him. In 1979, she was awarded the title of absolute world champion. It should be noted that Kim is the first gymnast who participated in the Olympic Games, received the maximum mark (10 points) for a vault and floor exercises.
After her career was completed in 1980, Nelly began training national teams. In the same period, she received the position of international arbiter, and also judged all the largest competitions in the world. He has two orders of the Red Banner of Labor. At the moment, Nelly lives with her new husband and daughter in the United States.
Victor Tsoi was able in a short time to become a legendary rock musician, songwriter and artist. He is the leader and founder of the Kino group. In it, he sang, played the guitar, wrote poetry and music for them. He starred in several films.
Victor was born on June 21, 1962 in Leningrad. He began his career as a poet, singer and composer in 1978. His father, Robert Tsoi, is an engineer, is of Korean descent, and his mother is an ordinary teacher of physical education. Victor's parents divorced in 1973, but a year later they remarried. Tsoi studied at an art school, but was expelled for poor performance. After that, he went to study as a woodcarver. In his youth, Victor was a fan of Boyarsky and Vysotsky. He was strongly influenced by Bruce Lee. He began to imitate his image, began to get involved in martial arts.
The Kino group in Viktor's biography occupies a significant place. This team has become truly legendary. It did not last long: it was founded in 1984 and in 1990 it was disbanded. The group gave their last concert on June 24 of the final year. After him, Choi retired with a friend in the country, where a new album was recorded. It was released in December of that year and was called Black Album. The cover is fully consistent with the title. Probably, the group would have existed much longer and would have gained worldwide recognition ... However, in August 1990, at the age of 28, Viktor Tsoi died. According to the official version, he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a bus. Fans call their favorite artist, composer, a man with a capital letter. They still dedicate songs to him and visit his grave. This tragedy was a shock to everyone.
The life of Koreans in Russia
As you might guess, the Korean diaspora in Russia is heterogeneous. This is due to the fact that Asians constantly moved from place to place and changed the areas where they live. As a rule, residents of North Korea fell to the Far East, and South to Sakhalin. At the moment, many Asians are interested in whether the Koreans need a visa to Russia, but more on that later.
The diaspora also consists of those who came to the territory of the Russian Federation as students. They, as a rule, remain to live in the state after graduating from a higher educational institution on an ongoing basis. The Korean population living in Russia is divided into 3 types.
- The first group consists of those who have local citizenship.
- The second includes those who are registered in North Korea, but received permission to reside permanently.
- The third group included those who could not obtain citizenship.
It is also worth mentioning that relations between members of the Korean diaspora are quite tense. When Asians from Central Asia and Kazakhstan were sent to Sakhalin, they, due to the fact that they knew Russian well, constantly claimed leadership positions. That is why they tried to emphasize their superiority over other Asians. After Russia improved relations with the Sakhalin Koreans, due to their good command of their own language, they were able to get positions of translators and managers in international companies, embassies, representative offices and churches. There has always been a wary attitude toward North Korean refugees. Moreover, this is manifested not only on the part of Russia and South Korea, it is also noticeable in the actions of a kindred state.
Koreans in Russia have already changed their way of life and traditions, which have long undergone some changes. The population, due to the influence of Russian culture on them, slightly changed their lifestyle. Many Asians accepted Baptism.
Now the Korean diaspora in Russia is one of the largest in the territory. The vast majority of these people speak Russian. Only about 40% speak Korean.
Mostly these people profess Orthodoxy. However, in some groups, Confucianism and Buddhism prevail.
At the moment, Korean culture began to develop in Russia. People restored schools, began to print publications. Assistance in this is provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.
Visa regime
Do Koreans need a visa to Russia? The clear answer is yes. It should be issued, since it is impossible to enter and be in the territory of the Russian Federation legally in its absence. In order to get a visa, you need an invitation. It doesn’t matter, this can be done both by an ordinary person and by an organization. A visa for Koreans to Russia (it can be a tourist, private, business or work), is issued by applying to the Russian Consulate in South Korea. The order of registration and terms will be indicated by a specialist directly at the embassy.
North Korea at the beginning of this year offered Russia to switch to a visa-free regime. However, this issue has not been fully resolved.
Koreans about Russia and Russians
Koreans constantly talk about the fact that Russians drink a lot. By the way, many people believe that Russia is the USSR. And they are very surprised when they come and understand that this is not so.
Koreans talk about Russia quite interestingly. Some people think that in summer there is no warmth. Also, many immigrants are surprised that there are short girls. In their opinion, all ladies should be above 170 cm.