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Chinese-Korean
Immigrants Participate in Korean-Owned Businesses
From JoongAng
Dec 08, 2002
By Kim JongHoon
Recently, ethnic Korean residents in China who moved to New York
City increasingly participate in Korean-owned businesses, both wholesale
and retail.
According to Choi DongChoon, the president of the Korean-Chinese
Association in New York, Chinese-Koreans have begun to initiate
their own businesses over the last two years. Just two years ago,
the number of businesses owned by Chinese-Koreans was around five,
but now, it has increased to about 30 stores in New York City and
is expected to increase to about a hundred in next two years.
Lee HyunCheol, who owns a retail-wholesale shop in Jamaica, Queens,
started his own business earlier than this trend. He was the national
wrestling coach in China and obtained a green card in 1993 as a
professional skill holder in sports. He initiated his business six
years ago.
Lee pointed out, "Korean-Chinese are opening a various small
businesses such as nail salons, shipping companies and restaurants."
He added, "I am impressed by our performance. After early years
of efforts, we finally have the ability to run our own business."
His business, "Beauty Life," expanded to make 200 million
dollars revenue a year, including both retail and wholesale.
When Chinese-Korean immigrants first immigrated to work, most women
used to start as employees of nail salons or restaurants, and men
used to be employed in manual labor. Recently, however, they have
begun to open their own businesses, using their capacity to speak
both Korean and Chinese.
Choi, who initiated a firm for floor construction last year, said,
"We have a high potential because we can attract Chinese customers
at the same time and are able to trade products with firms in mainland
China." He urged Korean-owned businesses to interact with Chinese-Korean
businesses because the Chinese-Korean can be a bridge connecting
the Korean and Chinese communities.
Translated from Korean by JooYeon Lee
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