| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 5,343 (2015) [1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Seoul | |
| Languages | |
| French, Korean | |
| Religion | |
| Catholicism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| French people |
There is a small community of French people in Korea.
History
French people began coming to Korea as early as the seventeenth century, when French Catholic missionaries first came to the country. [2] However, most missionaries came after the 1886 establishment of relations between France and the Joseon dynasty; the treaty signed between the two countries gave French missionaries the right to evangelise in Korea. [3] [4]
Distribution
There were an estimated 5,343 French nationals in South Korea as of 2016 [update]. [5] Most are employed by French multinationals operating in the country. The largest concentration can be found in the Seorae Village in Seoul's Seocho-gu district, which because of its location on a hill is often compared to Montmartre in Paris. Korea's only school using French as the medium of instruction moved there in 1984. [6] Most French children only attend elementary or middle school in Seoul, but then return to France afterwards. [7]
In September 2009, the Seoul metropolitan government announced a five billion-won plan to renovate the area and make it more attractive to foreign residents by widening pedestrian walkways and putting up more signs in French. [7] One portion of the pavement, starting from the entrance to Bangbae Middle School, is painted in red, white and blue, the colours of the flag of France. [8]
Notable people
- Julien Kang, South Korean actor
- Siméon-François Berneux, Catholic missionary
- Victor Collin de Plancy, French diplomat
- Ida Daussy, TV celebrity
- Fabien Yves Jerome Corbineau, model and TV celebrity
- Robin Deiana, model and TV celebrity
See also
References
- ^ 2009년도 출입국통계연보, South Korea: Ministry of Justice, 2009, retrieved 2011-03-21
- ^ The Gospel in All Lands, Methodist Episcopal Church Missionary Society, 1890, pp. 413–414
- ^ Choe, Jong-go (December 2006), "구한말의 주한 프랑스인 사회 - 《뮈텔주교일기》를 중심으로/French Society in the Late Chosŏn Era - based Bishop Mutel's Diary", Journal of the Research Foundation of Korean Church History, 27: 79–117, retrieved 2007-05-31
- ^ Yi, Jin-gu (December 2006), "조불조약이 초기 개신교의 선교활동에 미친 영향/The Impact of the Korean-French Treaty on Protestantism in the Late 19th Century", Journal of the Research Foundation of Korean Church History, 27, retrieved 2007-05-31
- ^ "No melting pot, but Seoul still flavored with several dashes of migrant communities", Korea.net, 2006-12-19, retrieved 2007-05-31
- ^ Lee, Kyung-Taek (2006), "French Village in Banpo-dong", Korean Broadcasting System, retrieved 2007-05-31
- ^ a b Min, Ines (2009-09-02), "Costly Changes Impress Few Seorae Residents", The Korea Times, retrieved 2009-09-03
- ^ Lee, Annabelle (2009-12-11), "The world within Seoul", Korea Herald, retrieved 2009-12-11
External links
| Pre- Korean division | 
 | |
|---|---|---|
| North Korea | ||
| South Korea | ||
| See also | ||
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