Koreans in Malaysia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Koreans in Malaysia |
|---|
| Total population |
|
5,920 (2005) |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Kuala Lumpur (Ampang, Mont Kiara), Selangor (Ampang, Bandar Sunway, Kota Damansara, Subang Jaya)[1] |
| Languages |
| Korean, English, Chinese, Malay |
| Religions |
| Christianity |
| Related ethnic groups |
| Koreans |
Koreans in Malaysia during 2005 numbered 5,920 individuals, making them the 20th-largest community of overseas Koreans, according to South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.[2] Unofficial estimates suggested that the population had grown to 30,000 by 2007, and was projected to grow to as large as 50,000 to 70,000 by 2009.[1]
The Korean community in Malaysia consist mostly of expatriates working in South Korean companies, as well as an increasing number of international students.[3] The number of retirees coming under the Malaysia My Second Home immigration programme has also been increasing.[1] Their history goes back almost half a century; Malaysia and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1960, and in the following decade, when Malaysia faced a shortage of doctors, a number of foreign doctors, including Koreans and Filipinos, were authorised to practise in Malaysia.[4][5] Some construction workers, pilots, and sailors were also sent to the country.[6] Malaysia's first officially-registered school for Korean nationals, the Malaysia Korean School, was established on 7 December 1974; it had 26 teachers and enrolled 148 students as of 2006.[7] Most Korean residents are concentrated in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, especially in Ampang, where a Koreatown is beginning to sprout.[8] The popularity of Korean dramas in Malaysia has meant an increasingly friendly reception for Korean expatriates by local people.[3] Real estate investment is another factor drawing Koreans to migrate to Malaysia, due to the taxes imposed on people who own more than two properties in Korea; Malaysia is the second most popular market for overseas real estate investment by Koreans, after the United States.[1]
Roughly 2,000 of the Koreans in Malaysia are students; Malaysia's multicultural environment offers them the chance to practise English as well as study other languages such as Chinese or Malay; they describe the educational environment as being more relaxed than in Korea. Korean churches form an important part of their social life.[9][10] Their parents also prefer Malaysia to other countries for several reasons. The low cost of living and education in Malaysia is a major pull factor; Parents also believe Malaysia offers a better environment for English study than neighbouring countries, as prevalence of Islam in Malaysia means that the nightlife is less of a distraction. A representative from one Seoul company which helps to arrange overseas study for local students estimated that 90% of Korean students going to Southeast Asia choose Malaysia as their destination. However, some international schools have stopped accepting Korean students because they have become too large a proportion of their student bodies.[3]
Around 200,000 South Korean tourists came to Malaysia in 2006; Kota Kinabalu was their most popular destination.[5]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Phoon, Zoe. "'Hwan Young Hap Ni Da'", New Straits Times, 2007-11-26. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.
- ^ 2005년도 재외동포현황 (2005 Present Status of Overseas Compatriots). Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Republic of Korea (2005). Retrieved on 2007-05-14.
- ^ a b c Kim, Hyun. "Malaysia emerging as destination for Korean students seeking global education", Yonhap News, 2007-01-31. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
- ^ Henderson, John William (1970). Area Handbook for Malaysia. American University, p. 151. ISBN 0081759917.
- ^ a b Ariffin, Roslan. "Najib Dijangka Kukuhkan Hubungan Dua Hala M'sia-Korea Selatan (Najib plans strong Malaysia-South Korea bilateral relations)", Bernama, 2007-03-08. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
- ^ Bonacich, Edna; Light, Ivan (1991). Immigrant Entrepreneurs: Koreans in Los Angeles, 1965-1982. United States: University of California Press, p. 104. ISBN 0520076567.
- ^ Overseas Korean Educational Institutions: 재말레이시아한인학교. International Institute for Education Development, Republic of Korea (2006). Retrieved on 2007-05-13.
- ^ Rhee, Hyun Ah. "Koreans find green pastures in Ampang", Malaysiakini, 2006-12-18. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
- ^ Tan, Ee Loo. "Feeling at home in Malaysia", The Star, Malaysia, 2006-07-16. Retrieved on 2007-05-04.
- ^ "Great chance to mix", The Star, Malaysia, 2006-07-16. Retrieved on 2007-05-02.
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