Koreans Abroad; Mongolia and the Philippines
by Richardson ~ September 23rd, 2005. Filed under: Asia. 
A few weeks ago business took me to Asia, including about a week in both Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and Manila in the Philippines. Being unfamiliar with those cities, I naturally gravitated towards something I know when looking for someplace to eat; Korean food.
Similar to Seoul, metro Manila has a population of just over 10 million, but the population density is the highest in the world 43,258 people/km² – compare to Shanghai (16,364 people/km²), Tokyo (10,087 people/km²), and Mexico City (11,700 people/km²). I stayed relatively close to my work site and hotel, so am not sure about the extent of Koreans there, though I have heard about a sizeable Kyopo (overseas Koreans) community there, including English students.
From the hotel room in Mania I could see a couple of restaurants (below on the right), and had to take a picture of the Tokdo Restaurant, although I didn’t try it. The food was about as good as Korea (the kimchi was as good), for about half the price for the same meal in Korea. The ju-in (owner) directed her Filipino workers – with very basic Korean language skills – from behind the counter:
Unlike Manila, the influence of Koreans is very evident in Mongolia’s capital city, Ulaanbaatar. At least 90 percent of the busses are old Hyundai busses from Seoul, with ‘cha-dong-moon’ (automatic door) on the doors, often with the old schedules still posted on the side (Hangul) next to the Ulaanbaatar (Cyrillic) schedule. A few Daewoo buses and an odd Soviet model still on the road as well. It also seems to be a dumping ground for old Hyundai Accents and various other Korean cars.
Cass beer signs practically litter the downtown area, and other Korean beers are readily available in restaurants and many stores. Many smaller stores and hotels, and one of the most popular department stores, are owned by Koreans. Needless to say, kimchi is not in short supply. Many other bits of Korean influence were also evident, including the colored concrete pavers for sidewalks so common in Korea.
The Korean food wasn’t quite up to par with Korea, but good enough. One of the places I tried specialized in mal-go-gi (horse meat), which I realized after my bul-go-gi arrived – mal bul-go-ki. If I hadn’t read the sign on the wall, I wouldn’t have known the difference.
I talked to a business man for a bit about his adventures in casinos for Japanese tourists, and it seems most of the Korean business are related to hotels, restaurants, gambling, and a few retail stores. Although I didn’t learn much about it, evidently Koreans are involved in education in the city as well (pic below).
At the airport on the way out I got an earful from a Mongolian who is, to put it politely, less than enchanted with the Korean influence on his home city. He worked for Koreans for a few years, and related that along with the business came the gang-pae (Korean mafia), which has been an inflationary factor. He added that Korean businesses generally don’t create jobs for Mongolians, and when they do, the local workers are treated and paid very poorly. South Koreans do not have a very good reputation among Mongolians.
Of course I did some investigating to see if I could meet any North Koreans, but none were evident when I inquired among locals or other Koreans, and I didn’t push it – if they’re not out in the open and easy to find, they’ve probably have good reason.
October 12th, 2005 at 1:55 pm
Koreans Abroad; Mongolia and the Philippines
Koreans Abroad; Mongolia and the Philippines
[…] Richardson got to listen to some griping during a visit to UB last month: At the airport on the way out I got an earful from a Mongolian who is, to put it politely, less than enchanted with the Korean influence on his home city. He worked for Koreans for a few years, and related that along with the business came the gang-pae (Korean mafia), which has been an inflationary factor. He added that Korean businesses generally don’t create jobs for Mongolians, and when they do, the local workers are treated and paid very poorly. South Koreans do not have a very good reputation among Mongolians. […]
COMMENT:
AUTHOR: yarbals
EMAIL: jaebeak@yahoo.com
Almost any place I have ever been that has a large number of koreans visit, the locals hate them. Pattaya, Cebu, boracay… i have talked to the locals have talked about how they like japanese, germans, americans.. etc. BUT they dislike koreans. One philipino said that koreans never tip and even keep the coins when they get their changed. Or if you serve a table of koreans its the worst experence because they will all be creul and snap their fingers as if you are their personal servant.
I could og on.. but i think you get the point
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:14 pm
I am so glad that you had visited Manila, Philippines. Now, the place have a lot of Koreans, not only in Manila but also in other cities like Makati, Quezon City, Muntinlupa City.
I am currently working in Korean company here in Alabang Muntinlupa City.
Koreans are really good people, I like their culture and their attitudes, they are very hard working and warm people.
There sre growing number of Koreans here in the Philippines and businesses.
I hope you could visit again here and drop by our school. This is a Laguage Center for Koreans. Visit our website http://www.bonafidephil.com
See you
Michelle
September 4th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Hi Michelle,
I did have a good time in Manila and only wish I had more time in the country. If I return, I’ll look up the school – thank you for the information.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Tuesday Greetings Richardson.
Experiences do vary. I can say that our Bethel Korean Church in California regularly sends missionary groups with varied skill sets, primarily related to healthcare, to minister in Mongolia. Our teams mostly visit remote locations rather than the capital, and obviously have a very different purpose than the hard-bitten retail business people of whom you write. They adapt as politely and as best as they can to the local cuisine, and always return with their spirits high, believing that their (steppe-cousins?) have appreciated their efforts all-around. We have sent missionary teams (short- and long-term) in many countries for some years, so we do have an experience base by which to gauge our efforts.
I am glad to learn also that your reader Michelle from the metro Manila area has such a wonderfully positive view of Korean visitors to her country. Koreans and Filipinos are as temperamentally different as Germans and Irish, but perhaps the meeting is felicitous!
Glad as always of the work that you and your brother bloggers do to notice Korea in all her wonder and variety, and a united Korea for all Koreans to breathe in freedom.
September 4th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Hi Rand,
Thanks for the kind words.
The Mongolian(s) I spoke with definitely referred to business types in Ulaanbaatar rather than missionaries, which as you said probably explains the difference.
Long-term mission in Mongolia outside the capital area? Lots of warm clothes and books, I trust.