Bishkek – Kyrgyzstan has a rich cultural diversity, which includes more than 100 ethnicities. They differ in number, religion, language, culture, traditions, and customs. Nationalities such as Uzbeks, Russians, Dungans, Uyghurs, Tajiks, Kazakhs, Tatars, Ukrainians, Turks, Koreans, Azerbaijanis, and Germans, as well as representatives of other countries, such as Greeks, Bulgarians, Czechs, Iranians, Kurds, Finns, Slovaks, Americans, Arabs, Cubans, Hungarians, Dutch, Assyrians, Vietnamese, Albanians, French, Australians, Croats, and others who have resided in Kyrgyzstan for many years.
The ethnic composition of the country changed drastically during the Tsarist period in Russia, the Soviet period, and during World War II, when many nationalities were compelled to immigrate to other countries or were forcibly sent to Central Asia (then a part of the Soviet Union).
One of these groups that were forced out of Siberia was the Korean Kyrgyz, also known as the Koryo Saram. Around seventy years ago, 172,000 Koreans living in the Russian Far East were deported to Central Asia by the order of Josef Stalin, as they were branded as “unreliable” and thought to possibly support the Japanese during the Second World War.
During the forced relocation of the Koryo Saram to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, they were deprived of their autonomy and native language, forced to cultivate rice, and required to settle down far from one another.
Nevertheless, the Koryo Saram achieved great success and gained a good reputation not only in agriculture but also in other fields. In one report, the governor general of Eastern Siberia in 1864 was told the following: “That these people differ in unusual diligence and tendency to agriculture,” which remains true until the present day. Koryo Saram were able to adapt quickly in this foreign land despite hard times and repression, an entirely different climate, and even hunger. They converted wastelands to fertile land and harvested three times more crops than expected. During the existence of the USSR, more than 200 Koryo Saram were awarded the highest rank of Hero of Socialist Labor for outstanding achievement in agriculture.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the number of Koryo Saram in Kyrgyzstan increased. Today, the number of ethnic Koreans is 20,000.The Korean diaspora mostly consists of immigrants from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The majority of Koryo Saram live in Bishkek, in the northern part of Chui and Issyk-Kul regions, as well as in the south of the country in Osh City and in Jalal-Abad region.
The Koryo Saram born 40 to 50 years since this diaspora hardly understand or speak the Korean language, as they prefer to speak in Russian because of their forced relocation.
For fifth generation Koryo Saram, the Korean language, ceremonies, and customs are almost extinct. Hence, many Koryo Saram willingly visit the cultural centers and exhibitions and learn their native language through the Embassy of South Korea in the Kyrgyz Republic, Korean resource centers, or the Korean Public Fund. Adding to the richness of the Korean Diaspora in Kyrgyzstan are newcomers from the Korean Peninsula. According to the Korean embassy, around 600 citizens from South Korea live in Kyrgyzstan.
Koryo Saram have generally short surnames, such as Kim, Li, Tsoi, and Khan, The first names of new generations, however, are more Russian than Korean. For instance, names such as Victor, Konstantin, and Sergey are popular for boys, and Svetlana, Elena, and Ludmila are popular for girls. Interethnic marriages were not accepted in the earlier generations, but nowadays, unions with Russians, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz people have gained widespread acceptance. Koryo Saram go to Russian schools, making Russian their first language.
Many Koryo Saram have achieved great success in various fields, not only in agriculture but also in health care, economics, science, industry, culture, and sports. They have educated generations of Kyrgyz musicians, economists, and physicians, for which many Kyrgyz people are grateful for to this day. One of the famous Koryo Saram rock-musicians Victor Tsoi, who created the group “Kino,” is still remembered and loved by older and younger generations alike in all post-Soviet countries until today.
Koryo Saram made essential contributions to the developing economy not only in Kyrgyzstan but also in other republics of Central Asia. At present, many Koryo Saram businessmen invest in small businesses, helping the development of the national economy. Around 100 business enterprises, from a number of well-known Korean restaurants and cafés such as “Seol,” “Bevon,” “Pkhe Yang,” and “Koen Bock Kuhn,” to construction companies, bakeries, greenhouses, and shops are now present in the Chui region. There are also Korean song and dance ensembles called “Mannam” and children’s dance group called “Torodi” supported by the Korean public fund. They take part in various local and international festivals and are very popular because of their vivid costumes and performances.
Many Koryo Saram in local bazaars sell Korean salads and winter pickles, which are in high demand. During holidays, wedding parties, or anniversaries, local people prefer to order a spicy Korean carrot salad called “Morkovcha,” as they enjoy eating it with freshly baked bread.
Koryo Saram are very peaceful people and share similarities in culture and mentality with the Kyrgyz. The friendship between Koreans and Kyrgyz has continued to blossom for almost 80 years.
Thanks to the Kyrgyz, Koryo Saram have found a home and achieved progress in various fields. Despite the small number of Koryo Saram in the country, they are respectable, hard-working, and influential members of society.
