• 한국사회정책
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.39-68
• /
• 2012

As foreign immigrants increase dramatically, the number of ethnic residential areas also grow rapidly in Korea. Of those foreign workers, the majority is Korean Chinese who can speak Korean language fluently and share common culture as the same ethnicity. As of now they are concentrated on 8 areas in Seoul forming their own community with networks for living and finding job. This paper is to investigate the differences and similarities of Korean Chinese residential areas in Seoul. In order to do that the authors researched two typical areas of Garibong-dong and Jayang-dong. The former is bigger and established earlier, became the symbol of Korean Chinese community. The latter area is relatively small and formed recently. Those staying in Garibong-dong are characterized as; single, moved from main land China directly, small sized residing unit and lower income. The place is mainly for the first incoming people to provide convenient environment for adapting in Seoul. On the other hand those staying in Jayang-dong are characterized as; with families, moved from other parts of Seoul, relatively good residence and higher income. Therefore this place is the second residential area for those who became familiar with living in Seoul. As a result, this paper found the process of differentiation in Korean Chinese communities. This process would be continued as far as foreign immigration continues. Therefore further researches required on more detail process of differentiation for various ethnic groups.