Koreans in Russia: history and modernity

Koreans are a nation living on the Korean peninsula. The world population of this people is more than 82 million people. Of course, the bulk of them live on the land of the same states: the Northern and Southern.

The second place is occupied by China. Completes the top three in terms of the number of Koreans - the United States. In these states there are just over 2 million people. Japan is in fourth place. There are slightly more than 900,000 Asians. Russia is after Canada, which is on the fifth position. Among the Russian-speaking nation there are 170 thousand Asian people, while in the North American state there are a little more than 200 thousand. Where are the Koreans in Russia?

The bulk of the Korean population is atheists, but Buddhists and Christians are also common. At the same time, there are a lot of such people only in South Korea, and in the Northern part, mostly those people who still do not adhere to any of the religions live.

More on the life of the nation

Among the population of the Korean peninsula, such holidays as the first year from the birth of the child, the New Year, the 60th anniversary became very widespread. In addition, the harvest day is celebrated annually, both in South Korea and in the North.

The main food is rice. Most often Koreans eat it and some other food of animal origin. This is due to the fact that in the old days 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 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 manner of dressing, then this nation, unlike other Asian, prefers white color in traditional clothes.

Names of Koreans, as a rule, consist of three syllables. The first is the surname, followed by the name. It consists of two parts. The most popular generic names of this nation are Kim, Li, Pak, Chhve (Choi, Choi). After marriage, the woman leaves a maiden name.

Koryo Saram

Koryo-Saram is the name of ethnic Koreans who live in the post-Soviet territory and are considered descendants of the indigenous representatives of the nation. If this "name" is deciphered, then the first part is a reference to the state of the people that existed from 918 to 1392. "Saram" from the language of this people is translated as "man". But still many people are interested in the question: where are the Koreans in Russia?

Who are the Soviet and post-Soviet Koreans? These are people who call themselves the direct descendants of Asians living in the Russian Far East since the 60s of the XIX century. As a rule, they are immigrants from the northern regions of the peninsula. Among them there are many Orthodox, Buddhist, Protestants. Most of the representatives of this people speak Russian, but they do not know their native.

Koreans in Russia began to appear in large numbers since 1860. Migration reached its peak in 1930. It should be noted that even the revolution could not stop it. Why did the Koreans have such a desire to move to Russia? The incentive was the lack of land in their home state, a good attitude of local officials to the people, as well as occupation actions from the Land of the Rising Sun. An interesting fact is that the Chinese and Japanese communities on the territory of the USSR were destroyed, while the Koreans in Russia were able to survive and even began to develop.

In 1917 there were already more than 100 thousand representatives of this nation. Most of them were in the Primorsky Territory (90%). When Stalin came to power, the people described were the first to be deported on a national basis. However, already in 1935, according to the population census, more than 200,000 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 fairly 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, there was a theater. In this territory, several magazines and newspapers were published in the Korean language.

In 1993, according to a decree of the Government of the Russian Federation, the Koryo Saram were recognized as victims of political repression.

At the moment, more than 500 thousand Koreans live in the territory of the former Soviet Union. The leader in terms of their number is Uzbekistan. The second place was taken by the Russian Federation. And how many Koreans live in Russia? According to the population census, which was carried out in 2010, more than 150 thousand people live here. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, most of the Korean population migrated to the territory of Russia and Ukraine.

The population of North Korea in Russia

Some part of the population of North Korea temporarily or permanently lives in the Russian Federation. These are students, defectors. According to the data for 2006, there were more than 10 thousand people in the territory of the Russian North Koreans. It should be noted an interesting fact: some members of the Labor Party of Korea, which in the future had a very significant influence, lived in the USSR until the country received its sovereignty. They moved to North Korea only after its foundation.

If you go deeper into history, then it should be said that, since 1953, the North Koreans in Russia lived only because they entered higher educational institutions on the territory of the USSR.

To provide the Far East with workers who would perform labor duties at enterprises, 35,000 people were transported from North Korea. Over time, this number doubled. Closer to the 60th year, North Korea demanded the return of its indigenous inhabitants to the territory of the state, and 10 thousand people were sent 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 in the northern part of the country unemployment still reigns. In 2006, planned transportation of citizens began. Only people from cities participated in this project. It is believed that they are easier to adapt in the Russian Federation. More than 10 thousand people were transported to the Far East through working 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 internally displaced persons are quite small. 70% of the monthly amount is taken by the country "as a matter of due diligence".

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 between 100 and 500 people on the territory of the Russian Federation. Unfortunately, there is 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 permanently live in the Far East. The vast majority of them escaped from labor camps. It is worth noting that the South Korean embassy refuses to provide refugees from the North with shelter, and the Russian government detained at least one fugitive who was trying to get into the consulate. Afterwards, attempts were made to deport this man.

The "Memorial" Society currently helps refugees to draw up relevant documents on their recognition as such. It regulates people's appeals to the bodies of the Federal Migration Service. Only after this procedure refugees can officially leave their country. Then they come to Moscow and apply to the embassy of South Korea or any other state. Russia provides each migrant 3 months of temporary asylum. After the expiration of this period, they must obtain refugee status in a certain 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 propagate their territories. In other words, the struggle for compatriots began. The overwhelming majority paid attention to South Korea. At first the Asians were happy that they had gotten good seats. However, having worked a little, Russian Koreans were completely disappointed in their "brothers". They worked without days off for a small salary, which they often did not pay. In many respects because of this in the 90 years of the XX century, the number of Koreans migrating to the territory of the Russian Federation increased. Practically for all life these people have adopted a mentality of the country and its customs. Therefore, often indigenous people complain that Russian Koreans in Russia have adopted too many bad habits and now are very similar to the people around them.

Now this diaspora, especially in those places where its representatives work on the ground, forms quite close groups. With the population, or more precisely, with the indigenous people, these people practically do not contact - their interests do not overlap. I want to say that it would be great if Koreans and Russians were looking for more points of contact. This could avoid ethnic conflicts.

Sakhalin Koreans

How many Koreans are there in Russia? This is not about the total number, but only about Sakhalin representatives. The number of this diaspora is about 45 thousand people. 10% of them are representatives of the Koryo-Saram, while the remaining 90% are descendants of South Korean workers who were brought as laborers to Sakhalin. This happened during the period of Japan's annexation of Korea. All of them still live on Sakhalin Island. Often people are seen as a separate diaspora, which does not have any contact with other Koreans.

The formation of this group began after 1870. The first census of Koreans on Sakhalin was made by writer Chekhov, who visited the island. In 1897, according to the calculation of the population, there were slightly more than 65 Asians out of 28 thousand inhabitants. In the period from 1905 to 1937 gg. A small group of Sakhalin Koreans, like the Koryo Saram, were deported to Central Asia.

Famous Koreans in Russia

Famous Koreans of Russia, who were born in the territory of the USSR and the current Russian Federation, are Nelli Kim and Viktor Tsoy.

Nelly Vladimirovna Kim was born on July 29, 1957. The place of her birth is the city of Shurab, located on the territory of the Tajik SSR. Nelli glorified the Soviet Union, being five-time Olympic champion, five-time world champion, two-time European champion and multiple champion of the USSR. In 1976, she was awarded the title of Honored Master of Sports.

Her father is a Sakhalin Korean, his mother is a Tartar. She spent her childhood in the south of Kazakhstan. Nelly began to play sports in 10 years. And by 1970 it had become a worthy competitor. In 1975, Nelly won the European Championship. A year later she won the third victory at the Olympics in Montreal. In 1977, she married a Belarusian gymnast and moved with him to Minsk. In 1979, she was awarded the title of absolute champion of the world. It should be noted that Kim is the first gymnast who participated in the Olympic Games, which received the maximum score (10 points) for the support jump and floor exercises.

After her career was over in 1980, Nelly began training in national teams. In the same period she received the post of international arbiter, she also judged all the biggest competitions of the world. He has two Orders of the Red Banner of Labor. At the moment, Nellie lives with her new husband and daughter in the US.

Viktor Tsoy was able in a short time to become a legendary rock musician, songwriter and artist. He is the leader and the founder of the group "Cinema". In it, he sang, played the guitar, wrote poetry and music to them. He starred in several films.

Victor was born on June 21, 1962 in Leningrad. He started his activity as a poet, singer and composer in 1978. His father, Robert Tsoy, is an engineer, he is of Korean origin, his mother is an ordinary teacher of physical education. His parents divorced in 1973, but a year later they married again. Choi studied in an art school, but for his poor progress was expelled. After that he went to study as a woodcarver. In his youth, Viktor fanatel from Boyarsky and Vysotsky. Bruce Lee had a strong influence on him. He began to imitate his image, began to get involved in martial arts.

The "Cinema" group in the biography of Victor 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 last concert of the group was given on June 24 of the final year. After him, Choi and his friend retired to the dacha where the new album was recorded. It was released in December of the same year and was called the "Black Album". The cover fully corresponded to the title. Probably, the group would have existed much longer and would have gained world 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 the 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 all.

Life of Koreans in Russia

As you might guess, the Korean diaspora in Russia is not homogenous. This is due to the fact that the Asians constantly moved from place to place and changed the areas where they live. As a rule, the Far East was inhabited by North Koreans and Sakhalin-South. At the moment, many Asians are wondering whether the Koreans need a visa to Russia, but more on this later.

Diaspora still 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 education institution on an ongoing basis. The Korean population living in Russia is divided into 3 types.

• The first group consists of those who have a local citizenship.
• The second includes those who are registered in North Korea, but have obtained permission for permanent residence.
• The third group included those who could not obtain citizenship.

It is also worth mentioning that the relations between members of the Korean diaspora are rather tense. When Asians from Central Asia and Kazakhstan were sent to the territory of Sakhalin, they, because they knew Russian well, constantly applied for leadership positions. That's why they tried to emphasize their superiority over other Asians. After Russia improved relations with the Sakhalin Koreans, they, because of their good command of their own language, were able to arrange translators and managers for international companies, embassies, missions and churches. North Korean refugees have always been wary. And this is manifested not only from Russia and South Korea, it is also noticeable in the actions of the sister state.

Koreans in Russia have already changed their way of life and traditions, which have long undergone some changes. The population, because of the influence of Russian culture on them, has changed its way of life a little. Many of the 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.

Basically, these people profess Orthodoxy. However, in some groups, Confucianism and Buddhism prevail.

At the moment, Korean culture began to develop on the territory of Russia. People rebuilt schools, began printing publications. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea is assisting them in this.

Visa regime

Do Koreans need a visa to Russia? The unequivocal answer is yes. It should be formalized, since it is impossible to enter and stay on the territory of the Russian Federation on legal grounds in the absence of it. In order to get a visa, you need an invitation. It does not matter, it is able to do both an ordinary person and an organization. A visa for Koreans to Russia (it can be tourist, private, business or work) is processed by applying to the Russian Consulate in South Korea. The order of registration and terms will be indicated by the specialist directly at the embassy.

North Korea earlier this year offered Russia to switch to a visa-free regime. However, this issue has not been fully resolved.

Koreans about Russia and the Russians

Koreans constantly tell us 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 realize that this is not so.

Koreans about Russia tell quite interesting. Some people think that there is no warmth in the summer. Also, many immigrants are surprised that there are undersized girls. In their opinion, all ladies should be above 170 cm.