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Historically, the proximity of China to Korea has been one of the primary reasons for mass migration of ethnically Korean people to China.

Starting from the Qing Dynasty which spanned from the years 1644 to 1911, many Koreans began to migrate to China. More recently, a large influx of Koreans migrating to China came during WWII during the Japanese occupation of Koreans when many Koreans fled to escape Japanese rule. These ethnic Koreans are, after all, described in Korean as Joseonjok or Chosŏnjok or brethren abroad, and in Chinese are known as Chaoxianzu.

In China, the Joseonjok has been smoothly integrated as the CCP adopted the Soviet Union policy of governing ethnic minorities which consisted of relative administrative autonomy and

the acceptance of dual national-ethnic identities. These Koreans have been very successful such as Yanbian-born Korean poet Yun Dong-ju who is known for writing powerful interpersonal poems about Japanese colonial occupation. Thousands of others joined the CCP’s anti-Japanese forces during WWII. Their cooperation ensured them generous land allotment during the redistribution process and recognition as an official ethnic minority in 1949. Some specific places like YanJi Autonomous Prefecture in China are unique as they are primarily made of Joseonjok who have their own Yanbian dialect consisting of both Chinese and Korean words.

While some Koreans adapted to the CCP culture, others moved back to South Korea. In 2017, 400,000 Joseonjok were living in South Korea. They were attracted partly by the booming South Korean economy. However, those who moved back were not kindly received by South Korea as they were looked down upon as criminals or starving wretches.

This has connected to me as I am from both heritages- my mother is Chinese and my father is Korean. Through the experiences of ChineseKorean people I have learned about the struggles of reconciling both cultures.

Although it is difficult, we must accept everyone and instead of stereotyping other people based on their country of origin, we should treat everyone the same. It does not matter if we come from different countries, in the end here in America we are all the same, we are all American. The same goes with Koreans, it does not matter if they come from China, they are still Koreans.

However, I have also learned about the beauty of combining two different cultures to create unique subtitles and nuances that lie in between

the intersections of each culture. Without the many combining cultures in America we would not be where we are today. Similarly, in Korea, without the many diasporas of Koreans around the world, we would not have the diverse and unique viewpoints and cultures that each different diaspora brings. These unique people who have the connections of both cultures are able to take the best of both worlds and turn them into a

slightly different culture that is still rooted in cultural tradition.

Recently, in the face of the recent anti-Asian attacks, all Asians should ban together to protest the unjustiness of anti-Asian hate. This means that all Asians consisting of diasporas across the world should band and put aside their differences. Together, we can create a better America, Korea, and society.