"Gyopo" immersion: More ethnic Koreans find place in Korea

Описание: Koreans who were raised... or even born and raised in a country outside of Korea are commonly referred to as "gyopos" here in Korea, and the number of them returning to make a life for themselves in their homeland is increasing by the year.
In fact, recent data shows gyopos now make up nearly 15-percent of all foreigners in Korea.
Connie Lee has more. Bian Hui Juan ... or Byun Hye-yeon as she's known here in Korea... is receiving her scholarship to study in Korea.
She's a Korean-Chinese... who came from China... just 7 months ago.


"I'll be studying law at Sogang University."

The scholarship, given by the Overseas Korea Foundation... to dozens of foreign nationals of Korean descent... not only gave Bian a chance to come to Korea for the first time in her life, it also gave her better opportunities to study in her field of choice.


"I found that there were more advanced and developed courses in the area of law that I want to study... here in Korea than in China."

And she's not the only one making the move to the motherland.

According to recent data from the Ministry of Justice... the number of foreign nationals of Korean ethnicity... surpassed the 200-thousand mark for the first time last year-- that's a 24-percent increase from the year before.


"The record-number comes from the increasing number of Korean-Chinese citizens coming to Korea. In 2008, immigration laws were amended to give Korean-Chinese citizens living here similar benefits to those of Korean citizens, including being allowed to own property, and have health

insurance."

In 2013, more than 67-percent were Korean-Chinese.
The second and third largest group were the Korean-Americans... making up 19-percent and the Korean-Canadians who made up nearly 6-percent.

And for the most part, many come to Korea for the jobs.


"There's definitely been more interest for overseas Koreans to live in Korea because Korea has become globalized with many new employment opportunities."

And taking advantage of opportunities is what one Korean-American is doing.

[NATS: "This is VATOS." ]

31-year-old Kenny Park used his American influences... and Korean ethnic background to start a Mexican-fusion restaurant in Seoul.

"Growing up in California, we just had a vast array of food in front of us... and when the Korean taco truck trend really started to boom, I kind of woke up one day, and thought why don't we introduce this Korean taco trend in Korea as opposed to doing it in America"

The popular restaurant has grown... expanding to three locations in the span of two years.

"I think Korea is an underrated place to do business and to live as an expat or 'gyopo.' I think the opportunities are really abundant here..."
Connie Lee, Arirang News.