(by guest blogger, Andy Jackson)
This is nice (Yonhap):
The Korean community in the United States is pushing to establish a settlement area for North Koreans seeking asylum in the U.S., a community source said Friday.
On Sunday, the United States allowed six North Korean escapees to seek asylum on its soil, the first group to be accepted under the 2004 North Korean Human Rights Act. U.S. officials indicated that the number could increase.
“We are considering having consultations with the local governments of Washington and Los Angeles on our plan to build a settlement area for them,” a Korean community leader said by telephone.
“U.S. government officials have welcomed our plan,” the official said, adding that direct support for the refugees will come from the U.S. government but practical help will have to be provided by the Korean community.
I think this will set up an interesting study for any budding cultural anthropologists out there. Will Seoul or L.A. integrate North Koreans faster?
13 Comments
North Koreans are welcome in the States most likely. But given that the Japanese, Chinese, and Russians are responsible for this situation, why aren’t they footing the bill as some form of retributions?
In any event, this is really nice to see Korean countrymen taking care of their own, particularly given such a difficult set of circumstances over the last 50 years.
Are North Koreans considered “kyopo” too??
I don’t think that North Koreans can be considered Kyopo since the aren’t linked with the American cultural domination that has permiated the South over the last 50 years. Most likely the N. Koreans that make it to American shores will be treated as second class immigrants and likely subjected to menial work in Korea town. I guess this will work out great for the S. Koreans since they will have a willing and able talent pool to pluck from, but unfortunately for the N. Koreans the struggle in front of them will be filled with anguish.
deepforest’s prediction mirrors my own expectation. North Korean refugees are going to learn some bitter lessons about the price of ethnic “solidarity” with South Korean residents of the United States. They would be better off heading off to somewhere in the Midwest far from other Koreans and finding their own accommodation with American society.
Depends on what you mean by ‘integrate’. By and large, I find the Korean ex-pat community in LA to be insular and elitist. (at the same time) Then again, I suppose the nK folks won’t have to learn English if they move to L.A.
Any place is better than North Korea. And I can’t see North Koreans being treated as anything other than second class citizens, whether its Koreatown, LA or Korea, at least for the first generation. Few have the education or skills to do much else besides menial labor, despite the years of (propoganda) education in the North.
When Yonhap refers to the Korean community is there an actual organization being referenced or are these just individuals getting together in the name of Koreans in America? I too would like to see this work but I’m hesitant about LA. Perhaps Hawaii where Koreans blend in so much better with other Asian immigrants or Washington DC where the more recent Korean immigrants have moved into the suburbs in traditionally “white” neighborhoods would make for better situations. I don’t know really; those are just idea. I just wish this could have been done sooner and I hope the momentum doesn’t stop.
And if ever there was a case for affirmative action to help bring these people along this is it. I have no idea what that actually means in detail but they’re gonna need some legal help and “worldly” help to prevent being ripped off and taken advantage of.
The North Koreans will do fine in L.A., there are many, many community groups that help refugees there, and thousands of refugees have come there from every part of the world. Also, N.K. refugees have already settled in L.A., so people have some experience with them.
I can’t speak for Seoul but I’ve lived in Los Angeles my whole life and I don’t really agree with the before mentioned predictions. I may be naïve in assuming this, but for the most part, there seems to be more of a sense of community among Koreans in America than in South Korea; in my experience, it’s mostly concentrated around the church and school. One would hope that it would function as a moralizing force and hopefully suppress those apparently irresistible South Korean tendencies to exploit their fellow brethren. And I’m almost certain that Korean churches or KA college groups are sponsoring this effort and would probably provide some kind of network for the refugees.
I’d be more concerned about the refugees being treated patronizingly or being forced to go to church than being exploited for “menial labor.” And for that matter, I’m not really sure what menial labor consists of in Koreatown. They might need to wash dishes or peel potatoes for a while but they probably do not have the skills to do much else, and they’ll probably be acclimated enough after a while to do something better.
Oh and here’s an article I read about a North Korean couple living in Koreatown now if anyone’s interested:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/.....N39663.DTL
Are North Koreans considered “kyopo” too??
North Koreans do not use the term “kyopo”. It is “dong-po”.
I don’t understand why people have to jump to conclusions that Korean Americans will lower themselves to treating their fellow brethren as second-class citizens. Many who have experienced Koreans in Korea and such seemed to expect that Gyopos will act the same. I am a second generation American, and third and fourth generations are continuing to arise here. Our community leaders and KA college students are much more open-minded and willing to go great lengths to help the refugees who are in great need.
nerdieboy mentioned that many Koreans in LA have more of a sense of community, and it is true. I participate in my church, and we do what we can to help the needy around the world by holding fundraisers. Last year our youth group collected money to send to the Pakistani children orphaned by the great quake there. I have a friend who went on a religious mission to Afghanistan.
When it comes to North Koreans, many around the community have deep sadness for them and would be willing to help especially since us younger generations are more active and be willing to hold our arms out to our fellow Koreans in great need. I myself will soon partake in establishing a network with fellow church members to help North Koreans make themselves a living here.
Most of us were born Americans, raised Americans, and educated as Americans and are no different than any other American students that are willing to help out. I would never exploit a poor refugee who seeks a new life. I would do whatever in my power to give him/her what they were deprived of in North Korea and show them what life is about. I would not force them into church or anything, because it would come down to their choice. To many of us, no human being is of second-class or any class at all for the matter.
Well said seungyup and any discussion of NK refugees in the USA (or elsewhere) needs to recognize the important and growing role of LiNK (Liberty in North Korea), who are absolutely on the side of angels on this issue.
Nice points seungyup. Many in the Gyopo community certainly do have their hearts in the right place (I know a few in Canada). It’s commendable that the Korean community in LA is willing to help out.