Koreans comprise the second largest Asian ethnic group in the region after Chinese. According to 2003 estimates, Koreans in Philadelphia number approximately 80,000, making Philadelphia the fifth largest concentration of Koreans in the country (the mid-Atlantic makes up almost thirty percent of the Korean population nationally). Koreans are concentrated historically in Olney and Cheltenham, and Upper Darby. More recently, Koreans have tended to settle directly in suburban areas as opposed to urban neighborhoods. A majority of Korean-American families are Christian (Baptist and Presbyterian) and services often are held in Korean.
Philadelphia has a unique place in the history of Koreans in the US as it is the earliest east coast city to document a Korean community (since the 1880s). This first community consisted of a small population, primarily political exiles, supporting the work of Dr. Philip Jaisohn. Some Korean women also took up residence in the area after the Korean War as the brides of American servicemen.
The first major wave of immigration from Korea, however, occurred post-1965 in the 1970s, and consisted primarily of professionals and students seeking higher education and work opportunities. Many of these immigrants were educated at American universities and stayed to practice their professions here. They then sponsored other family members under family reunification and the community grew. Many of these subsequent immigrants were also predominately middle class and educated, but faced barriers in practicing their professions. As a result, many of them turned to alternative careers in small business.
Koreans have had great success as entrepreneurs across the city, concentrating predominately on small-scale retail. It is estimated that one-third of all Koreans in the United States own their own businesses, and Koreans have the highest rate of business ownership of any group in the United States. In many cases, Koreans have purchased businesses in economically challenged areas of the city, contributing to the revitalization of blighted shopping strips and other neighborhood commercial districts. A large percentage of Koreans in Philadelphia are involved in small scale retail activity, particularly small businesses such as dry cleaners, convenience stores, and groceries. There is some evidence that Korean cultural values have helped shape this economic strategy; anjông ("establishment, stability, or security") is an important value to Korean Americans is satisfied by entrepreneurship as opposed to wage labor. Other Koreans work as professionals in medicine, academe, law, technology, and science.
Korean immigration to Philadelphia, while once fairly extensive, has slowed considerably in recent years as Korea’s economy experienced new growth and prosperity, thus decreasing economic motivations for immigration to the United States.
Education is highly valued by Koreans, who work long hours and sacrifice financially to send their children to college. In spite of high educational attainment, some Korean Americans find that they continue to face racial barriers in “getting ahead.” Racism and cultural misunderstanding are the primary challenges still faced by Koreans in Philadelphia. Despite their long history and large numbers in Philadelphia, Koreans and Korean culture remain largely unknown to the majority of the city. Professionally trained Koreans have found that despite their ambition and successes, they remain blocked from higher levels of achievement and promotion in their fields. These barriers are particularly felt by the second generation, who were raised in the United States, yet feel they are still perceived as “foreign” by peers, employers, and co-workers.
