‘I consider myself Korean’: Koryo Saram, ethnic Koreans in Central Asia, keep their roots alive

She resides in the city of Incheon, north of Seoul, and has two stores there. A sizable Koryo Saram area is located in the city. In the town of Hambak, where evidence in Russian line the streets, there are more than 5,000 residents. Another region where a sizable Koryo Saram group resides is Ansan in the province of Gyeonggi.

More than 100,000 Koryo-ins, mostly from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, reside in various regions of South Korea, including Ms. Irina Kim and her kids. Most Koryo Saram enter South Korea using an H2 card, a favorable work force for Koreans of foreign descent.

The majority of H2 card holders are employed in the company, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and fishery industries.

Koryo-ins and other international cultural Koreans seeking to settle in South Korea may not find it any easier if they have a Korean history, according to authorities.

Mr. Kim Dae Ho runs a community center in Hambak town where he runs programs that enable people from various countries to better understand one another in order to improve the situation.

We are attempting to make it possible for South Koreans and Koryo-ins to interact. There may be errors and problems if they are not in contact. They must get along, argue if necessary, or eat up so they can clear up any misunderstandings. We run the different programs here because of this, he explained. & nbsp,

South Korea is like household to Ms. Irina Kim.

I didn’t go anywhere in the history. I didn’t have the impression of living back home. But now that I know where I belong, she said. & nbsp,

UPDATING Asian Lifestyle

Some Koryo Saram who are still living in Central Asia are contributing to the preservation of Asian culture. Ms. Zoya Kim is an exception to the rule that most people do not speak Korean.