Contributions of Ethnic Koreans to China's Development
Prof Kim Si Joong argued that ethnic Koreans in China are recognised for their contri-butions in the formation and development of the country.
In an article titled Ethnic Koreans in China, Kim noted that when the Japanese surrendered in 1945, ethnic Koreans in China had a choice to stay or leave for North or South Korea.
60 per cent or 1 million ethnic Koreans chose to stay. Most of them were landless or poor peasants who supported the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) over the Kuomintang (KMT).
"In particular the ethnic Koreans enthusiastically welcomed land reform, which was implemented in northeast China by the CCP even before 1949. Subsequently, during the 1949-52 period, most of them received Chinese citizenship without much difficulty," Kim wrote.
Kim added that most ethnic Koreans seemed to be sympathetic to the CCP's ideology and policies, since many were peasants and could relate to the colonization experience. Many also fought with the CCP against Japanese and KMT forces.
"Although some Korean revolutionaries returned to North Korea, many remained in China and went on to have successful careers in the military or government," Kim noted.
Another reason why ethnic Koreans were "welcomed" was because they had reclaimed the then barren land in northeast China during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
They succeeded in cultivating rice paddies for the first time in areas plagued by long and harsh winters. And once the lands were developed, many Han people - especially those from Shandong - migrated there.
In an article titled Ethnic Koreans in China, Kim noted that when the Japanese surrendered in 1945, ethnic Koreans in China had a choice to stay or leave for North or South Korea.
60 per cent or 1 million ethnic Koreans chose to stay. Most of them were landless or poor peasants who supported the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) over the Kuomintang (KMT).
"In particular the ethnic Koreans enthusiastically welcomed land reform, which was implemented in northeast China by the CCP even before 1949. Subsequently, during the 1949-52 period, most of them received Chinese citizenship without much difficulty," Kim wrote.
Kim added that most ethnic Koreans seemed to be sympathetic to the CCP's ideology and policies, since many were peasants and could relate to the colonization experience. Many also fought with the CCP against Japanese and KMT forces.
"Although some Korean revolutionaries returned to North Korea, many remained in China and went on to have successful careers in the military or government," Kim noted.
Another reason why ethnic Koreans were "welcomed" was because they had reclaimed the then barren land in northeast China during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
They succeeded in cultivating rice paddies for the first time in areas plagued by long and harsh winters. And once the lands were developed, many Han people - especially those from Shandong - migrated there.
posted by Maria Siow @ 9:45 AM
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