After visiting Yanbian and other Chosonjok regions in Jilin/Liaoning a couple times in the past I was astounded to hear of the many successful and powerful ethnic koreans. Even as one of the smallest minorities in terms of population they seem to be overepresented and considered a model minority in such a vast and overpopulated country. There are many notable chosonjok politicians, musicians, artisans, militarians etc that contributed much to their country. They deserve some respect from all koreans.

I believe their success comes down to korean work ethic and having a high regard for education.
Here are a few of the influential ones.



Cui Jian - Musician

Considered to be the father of China's rock music.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/en/doc/2003-1...tent_287744.htm


Zhao Nanqi/Cho Nam-Gi - PLA General

I believe there were two ethnic Korean PLA generals in recent Chinese history, which is very impressive.
One in the '50s and the other was Zhao Nanqi. General of the People's Liberation Army before he retired in 2000.
http://www.chinavitae.com/printer_friendly.php?id=1193


Li Yongtai/Lee Yeong-Tae - Lieutenant General of the PLA Air Force

http://www.chinavitae.com/biography_display.php?id=480


Jin Yan/Kim Yon - Popular Actor


Jin Yan was a major star of the 1930s Shanghai cinema, as famous as the actress Ruan Ling Yu. He was born in Seoul in 1910 as the third son of Kim Pil-soon, a medical doctor who was involved in the Korean independence movement against Japanese aggression. As the Japanese threat to his family became stronger, the family moved to China when Jin Yan was two years old. After his father died, he went to Shanghai, where many film companies were located at that time. Inspired by watching Hollywood films, he launched a career as an actor when he was 17 years old. Like most other actors, the first period of his career was not very notable until he met director Sun Yu who studied at Columbia University in the States. While working with Sun Yu, Jin Yan eventually became one of the top stars of the 1930s Shanghai movie industry and was honored as the "emperor of cinema" in an audience poll by a Shanghai newspaper.


There was also an ethnic Korean military leader that led Chinese armies into the middle east in ancient times, but lost the battle. I believe he was a traitor of his native Goguryeo. I remember reading that if he won this battle of such significant strategic importance the middle east would look a lot different today. Anyone familiar with this ?


Youre all welcome to add more to the list.

a lot of koreans joined the PLA during WWII, and also later during the chinese civil war. some stayed in the PLA and eventually became high ranking officers.

one reason why mao zedong said he participated china in the korean war was his way of expressing his gratitude for the korean effort for the PLA. (this may be be bull, i know), but it's hard to deny the influence of koreans all the way to the upper echelons of the CCP.

No, it's not bull. I recall reading from "The Place in the Sun" by Bruce Cumings that contributions of North Korean soldiers to the CCP during China's civil war influenced Mao's decision to intervene in the Korean War. Also, according to the same source, the Korean War basically started when North Korean war veterans from China's civil war returned to North Korea. I might take this with a grain of salt however. Although not directly related to this subject matter, Bruce Cuming's theory on how the Korean War started was recently disproved.

China's first legal tranny


Jin Xing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jing_Xing

transexual wasnt what i had in mind, but his..her story sounds interesting and i guess you could say he/she led the way for millions of other trans in china today.


I finally found that Korean general of Tang China.

General Gao Xianzhi, one of China's greatest military leaders.

The crucial battle i spoke of was Battle of Talas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gao_Xianzhi

^thanks to that korean general, china lost control and influence of central asia, leading to the islamicization of central asian turks by the arabs, who then turned west and were responsible for the downfall of the byzantine empire.



so yeah, that korean figure is an influential figure not only in china, but to the entire world

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Talas

Look at the numbers.

yeah i know the chinese were heavily outnumbered. but china had several military technologies that the arabs didn't possess.

*cough* Traitors. PLA? Come on.

How are they traitors? China's their country, and Chosonjoks are pretty damn proud of it too.

I would have thought that the average Korean would be very impressed with what the Chosonjoks have accomplished.

I wouldn't judge you as a traitor if you enlisted in the U.S. military.

cuz chinese are the enemy in the eyes many koreans. so any korean who joins the PLA is automatically a traitor.

You know what the PLA did. They invaded and took our land, let Communism flourish in North Korea. Seriously, even Marx said that Communism can only happen to developed and industrialized countries. North Korea was forced into Communism. It was a $hitty pit stain of a country. $hit, that's the whole reason we're divided. fu-k, there wouldn't even be any second rate Koreans living in China anymore! No "Chosun-joks" right? Oh, I forgot Communist Russians too. They suck balls.


All our neighbors are hostile.

This is how I see our neighbors;
China: A country that's just there, might be a threat because of it overwhelming size. Repeated harassment by this country long time ago.
Japan: A known threat to society and economy, rivals.
Russia: Just some country that's there since they're nothing now. Took over North Korea.

actually most of the chosenjuks in china were there before korea got divided, many migrated to china (and russia) during the japanese occupation, some even earlier.

That would be the famous Tang General GaoXianZhi （高仙芝）.He was assigned as 行营节度使. He was one ruthless motherfcuker. His father was also a general stationing in present day Xingjiang. See the detail here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gao_Xianzhi

Yeah, i already found it, but thanks.

Koreans and ancient proto-koreans seem to be pretty gifted when it comes to military leadership.

well...Korea would not be an independent country today if it didn't have good leaders.

Actually all countries in the world today owes their existence to capable military leadership of their ancestors.

kool

Is this supposed to mean that koreans are a model minority in China? and proof that koreans are superior to Chinese culturally and racially?

sigh..

Please don't wreak the thread.

CJK

That is not my intention. I greatly admire the great korean ethnic minority in China. I believe they set an example to all of the people in China. They are the Chinese model minority.

Cui Jian is great.

gahmsahhahmnida *bows*

That's a bit of an exaggeration. I don't think he was too shabby, but he was known for losing. By his time, all the great Tang generals were long dead. Tang's greatest milatary era was in it's first half century.



It is pretty much bull. Mao can say whatever he wants, but it's very clear now that China wanted to AVOID direct milatary confict with the USA at that point, especially with deteriatorating Sino-Russo relations (a relationship that was not good to start with). China's forced involvment was because US arrogantly ignored Chinese warnings about getting to close to the Chinese borders. It was to bring home a psychological victory for Communism.

There are Korean figures that have contributed to China now and the Chinese empires of the past. Much like there are blacks that have contributed significantly to America, or non-romans to Rome. There's nothing special about it, stuff like this happens all the time. There are also many manchus, turks, hui, mongols, that have contributed to the PLA as well, especially the hui.

of course mao could not say the real motivation to get involved in the war. but everyone knew that koreans did make a major contribution to the PLA during WWII and Chinese Civil War and were somewhat indebted to them. although what mao said about "paying back the favor," it was rhetoric, yes, but it was a legitimate reason in the eyes of the people. i remember when the PLA crossed the Yalu, they were actually welcomed by the North Korean villagers.

actually, there is anecdote about why Mao Anqing (Mao Zedong's son) got killed in the Korean War. It's because he accepted an invitation to feast at North Korean village. Of course the fuel the villagers used was not so great it quality, and it produced alot of smoke. And it was by the smoke, that Americans spotted the Chinese commander, and naturally, they bombed the area back to the stone age.

China did attack Korea long time ago (and also Korean war), but China (which considered Korea as an ally) also provided key support in times of need for the Koreans. e.g. Hideyoshi's invasion, Sino-Japanese war in which Korea set up government in Shanghai, etc. Also, after WWII and before the communists took over, China actually opposed the Allied Forces' plan for Korea: to divide Korea into two parts... the north part surrender to the Soviet's, and the south surrender to the US. China opposed this because it wanted to see Korea as a whole nation, but obviously the Allies didn't heed.

yes, but China wanted to see a unified Korea under communist rule, under the chinese umbrella. i think the economic rise of korea was unexpected for all of its neighbors, as each attempted to assert control over korea, due to its strategic location in NE asia. from a purely objective point of view, the chinese are really no different from the japanese, the americans, and the russians when it comes to the korean peninsula. but the chinese were not as ruthless, as say, the japanese, in their methods.

cui jian is ethnic korean?
he is very famous in china-----father of chinese rock music

Here is a great wikipedia entry on the Chinese Volunteer Army that was sent to Korea to fight in the Korea.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's_Volunteer_Army



The chinese soldiers in korea behaved in a great manner unlike the Americans who just bombed everything. They never mistreated the korean populace and even at times helped them greatly. Generally though, they did not interact much with the korean civilians and even when they lacked food and were starving, they refused to steal from the korean population. The North korean soldiers had it easier as they often obtained from the korean population but the Chinese army were too proud to.



Even south koreans and westerners to this day believe the chinese achieved their succes in the korean war by just sending vast hoards of troops into sure death and winning by pure brute force. As the above quote explains, that was far from the case.

Most of the chinese soldies who fought in the korean war were china's best troops. they had been in the army since they could remember and had tons of battle experience with the japanese and the kuomintang. they were led by experienced capable leaders and the chinese army at the time was free of corruption and full of optimistic belief in communism.

All the south koreans ive met so far, when we discussed the korean war, they seem to have a consensus that the chinese was able to beat off the americans because of brute force and numbers. Another example of condescending behavior from koreans to chinese. Superior tactics and bravery were the key to chinese success. Not brute force and numbers as often the chinese were outnumbered by UN forces as the quote explains.

Found the korean guy that made the PLA March anthem among others.
thanks to GotMilk?


Zheng Lucheng – He Wrote the Songs

Zheng Lucheng was born in Korea in August 1918. His original name was Zheng Bu-en.

Zheng was engaged in secret anti-Japanese activities in 1934.

He wrote and composed numerous inspiring tunes that kept morale and hope alive during the war.

In 1988, approved by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and signed by Deng Xiaoping, the then chairman of the Central Military Commission, the Eighth Route Army March composed by Zheng was renamed the People's Liberation Army March.

(China.org.cn November 18, 2005)

http://www1.china.org.cn/english/features/149184.htm

中共軍是 我們的反統一 勢力
chinese commnunist army was our enemy and they broken our korea unification
dirty china communst bastard

dirty white bastard

wtf? lol

A thread involving China always turns awry in this section. But anyways, Koreans are actually very highly respect in China because of their incredible work ethics. Of all 55 ethnic minorities, Koreans probably are regarded as the most respectable minority of all. They have contributed a lot to China's growth and development even though they are a minority. Being Korean, or even part Korean, it's always something to be proud of in China.

Some of the characteristics/stereotypes that majority of people in China have about Koreans is that they're traditionally known to be very musically talented in singing and dancing, really good food, North Korean style cold noodles is very famous in my province. And my mom makes awesome kimchi (it's so delicious it makes me want to cry), thanx to her being part Korean and brought up in that environment. In addition, Koreans students tend to do very well in schools because of the way their parents enforce them to study hard (Korean moms are pretty scary. They'll beat your @$$.)

Most ethnic Koreans are very traditional and even the 3rd, 4th, 5th generations are all pretty much bilingual. Koreans have done some pretty impressive things throughout history in China, even though they are few in numbers. Korean families usually receive very good benefits from the government when it comes to scholarships, grants, aids, more stuff than an average Han Chinese can imagine. But they really deserve it for working hard and contributing to their nation.

One of chief Engineers of Long March Ballistic Missle was also a korean Chinese. His name escapes me. anyone knows?

i grew up in northeastern china with tonnes of ethnic korean chinese.

they are mostly of north korean origin but moved to china so long ago that they dont even remember. hardworking people they are, and the cold noodles are amazing XD

Excellent, thank you for shareing.
Anymore Ethnic historical Generals?

How the hell could Gao be considered one of the greatest military leaders in Chinese history when he lost the battle of Talas? As everyone already said that was a crucial battle in world history. If anything shouldn't the Chinese be mad?

He led other successful campaigns in central asia.

Gao led a severely outnumbered army at the battle of talas.
It's not surprising that they lost.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Talas




Here are some famous koreans that settled in China that were a part of the korean resistance/independance movement.

Shin Chae Ho

Famous Korean nationalist and historian. He is a Korean hero for his effort in the korean independance movement in China.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin_Chae-ho

Yoon Bong-Gil


Yun Bong Gil (Im Fong Kee in Chinese) under the National Flag of Korea, April 29, 1932, he threw the bomb at Hongkew Park on the occasions of the Japanese Emperor’s birthday. On his chest is pinned the Oath made to the Korean patriotic Association, reading:

“ I make this oath as a member of Korean Patriotic Association to kill the military leaders of the enemy who are invading China in order to redeem the independence and freedom of our country."


Yoon Bong-Gil (21 June 1908, Yesan, Korea - 19 December 1932 Kanazawa, Japan) was a member of the Korean resistance movement fighting the Japanese occupation of Korea. He was involved in an attempt to assassinate the Japanese Emperor.

On 29th April,1932, he carried out a bombing attack at a Japanese army celebration of Emperor Hirohito's birthday in Shanghai. The bombing killed Yoshinori Shirakawa , a general of the Japanese Imperial Army, and Kawabata Sadaji, a Government Chancellor of Japanese residents in Shanghai. It also seriously injured Ueta Kenkichi, Division 9 commander of the Japanese Imperial Army, Kuramatsu Murai, Japanese Consul-General in Shanghai, and Shigemitsu Mamoru, Japanese Envoy in Shanghai.

Chiang-Kai Shek quoted "A young Korean patriot has accomplished something tens of thousands of Chinese soldiers could not do."

Yoon was arrested at the scene, and convicted by Japanese military court in Shanghai on 25th May. He was transferred to Osaka prison on 18th November, and executed in Kanazawa on 18th December. He was buried with civility in Nodayama graveyard.

In May 1946, his remains were excavated by Korean residents in Japan, transferred to Seoul and given funeral rites. He was then reburied in the Korean National Cemetery. In 1962, the government of South Korea's Second Republic praised his bombing attack, and posthumously bestowed the Republic of Korea Cordon (Grand Cordon) of the Order of Liberation Merit on him.



Li Dek Su: Current Chinese Minister of State Ethnic Affairs.
http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/56943.htm

From what I understand most ethnic Koreans are doing pretty well in China. The chinese seem to treat us alot better than they do Tibetans, Inner Mongolians, and Uighurs.

Koreans in China are generally faring well and are well over represented in the military and politics.

PRC like any other country favours groups that are educated and contribute to society.
Koreans in China also dont cause political stirs and outcries to the international community, like other groups that want independance.

that's because ethnic Koreans in China are peaceful and hardworking and they don't cause any trouble to the PRC government like those other minorities.

aww what a nice thread, on the most part.

ehh, anyone who says the Korean general sucks cuz he lost that battle is dumb. especially if those numbers are correct AND there were traitors. the outnumbering was ridiculous. i dont know what you expected him to do.

Yes, I've heard of Yun Bong Gil. I think many chinese know who he is, especially those of the older generation.

This just goes to show that the PRC is not an intolerant dictatorship bent on ethnic purity as the US and other countries suggest. The ethnic koreans work hard and don't obsess over political matters and look where is that gotten them? If only the other troublemaking minorities in the PRC would use them as example.

China only wants to see United Korea without US Army.

Army is a threat to China.

^The PRC is tolerant of peace and intolerant of conflicts. Koreans are able to live side by side with Chinese without cultural clashes because the differences between Han Chinese and Korean are small enough for the two groups to live harmoniously. Throughout history, the far Northeast was always shared by various groups, not just inhabited by Han Chinese. Many Khitan, Koreans and Han Chinese settled in the area, despite the politics of the time. It was a piece of land that was just historically shared. My Korean ancestors settled in around Tumen river in the early 1800s and most of them married local Koreans but I've never heard stories of prejudice from them before. The Chinese empire expanded to the West and Southwest with people of completely different ethnicities and different religions such as Turks (Muslims) and Tibetans who had caste systems. A lot of their ideals goes against the Chinese culture e.g. tribal punishments for sins, and owning slaves and such. That goes against the laws setup by the PRC gov, therefore the people there have a much harder time. They also have communication problems because they can't speak Chinese whereas there's virtually no language barrier between Korean and Chinese. Pretty much all the Koreans in China are bilingual.

I doubt the reason for the lack of any independence movement is cultural. A lot of Korean-Chinese did feel discriminated by Han Chinese, in which case they banded together in mafia-like "criminal organizations". This is typical of immigrant people when they cannot find cultural cohesion with mainstream culture. A lot of Korean Chinese, especially successful ones like this one millionaire entrepreneur I know, belong to such organizations. If they get discriminated, they take care of it their way. The critical reason why Koreans don't rebel like Tibetans or Mongolians is because we didn't lose huge chunks of land from recent Chinese military conquests. If Korea was still under Japanese occupation, I'm sure a lot of Koreans would be still fighting for independence regardless of cultural cohesion.

you're hilarious

Not as hilarious as your ability to argue.

Well some Koreans do complain about Gando but overall it's pretty minor. What the PRC really needs to take care of is the Tibet and Xinjiang situation and to a lesser extent Inner Mongolia.

i dont have to.

b/c you cant

I doubt the Korean Chinese felt nearly as much discrimination when compared to other Koreans living outside Korea. Many Korean Chinese and Han Chinese had cooperated towards common goals during the Japanese occupation and among others in the past. The Koreans earned their right to China's first ethnic autonomous region in Yanbian as well as Changbai Korean autonomous county. There isn't much need for these ethnic korean organizations anymore when the actual koreans themselves partially govern their own territory.

In contrast, in Japan you will see these mafia-like organizations as Mindan and Chongryon, which amazingly have a lot of political power. Not to mention many of the actual organized crime syndicates in Japan that are godfathered by ethnic Koreans.