“I feel like I’m neither Chinese nor Korean because I’m Joseon-jok.”
On May 12 at 10 PM, KBS1’s ‘Sisa Planning Window’ will air ‘Joseon-jok – Standing on the Border,’ a special that meets ethnic Koreans from China living throughout our society.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Korea and China in 1992, ethnic Koreans from China began entering Korea in earnest. Over 30 years later, the number of these compatriots has grown from 35,000 to 670,000.
Although they have become the largest immigrant group residing in Korea, perceptions of them remain divided. ‘Sisa Planning Window’ analyzes the role ethnic Koreans from China have played in the Korean labor market and examines the background of visa policies and social perceptions surrounding them.
■ People Korea Needed
Since the 1992 diplomatic ties, ethnic Koreans from China have filled critical gaps in the Korean labor market. It is estimated that over 80% of foreign workers at construction sites and 80 to 90% of caregivers in nursing hospitals in the metropolitan area are Joseon-jok. Experts state that if these compatriots leave, the skilled labor market in construction will struggle and the caregiving market will quickly collapse.
■ Compatriots? Foreign Workers? Or ‘Jjang X’?
For a long time, visas for ethnic Koreans from China were split between the Visit and Employment (H-2) visa, which only allowed simple labor, and the Overseas Korean (F-4) visa. This was a point of difference compared to compatriots with US or Japanese citizenship, who could receive the F-4 visa from the start. These visas, which were separate for nearly 20 years, were finally unified earlier this year.
The program also looked into social perceptions. A survey of 1,036 adults nationwide revealed that while favorability toward other overseas Korean groups, such as those from the US, Japan, and Koryo-saram, was around 30%, favorability toward ethnic Koreans from China was only 8.4%.
Last year, they even became targets of hate groups. Anti-Chinese rallies that started in Myeongdong, Seoul, spread to residential areas like Daerim-dong, with protesters marching through streets where elementary, middle, and high schools are located. This meant even students were exposed to hate speech. The program diagnoses the danger signs of hate that was once confined to the internet now surfacing in reality.
■ Youth of Yanbian, A New Choice
The production team visited the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, the hometown of ethnic Koreans from China, to meet the new generation. For the youth of Yanbian, who are familiar with K-pop and K-dramas, Korea remains an attractive option, but it is no longer the only path. While their parents worked at construction sites, restaurants, and nursing hospitals, this generation seeks office and technical jobs and is also looking toward major Chinese cities like Shanghai and Beijing.
■ People on the Border, It’s Time for Korean Society to Answer
In Korea, where the working-age population is shrinking due to low birth rates and an aging population, the 670,000 ethnic Koreans from China have become a presence that can no longer be ignored. Experts point out that if it is difficult to settle and integrate compatriots who share the same language and culture, coexistence with non-compatriot foreigners will be even harder. Coexisting with ethnic Koreans from China is a task that Korea, moving toward a multicultural society, can no longer postpone.
‘Joseon-jok – Standing on the Border’ on ‘Sisa Planning Window’ will be broadcast on KBS1 on May 12 at 10 PM.
