How Seoul and Incheon's Chinatowns tell stories of Chinese immigration to Korea
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There are two Chinatowns of note in South Korea: one in Incheon, just outside Seoul, and one in Seoul's Daerim neighbourhood.
Both not only tell the stories of Chinese migrants to Korea, but also the complex relationship between Korea and China over the past few centuries.
Incheon Chinatown is the country's oldest Chinese enclave. Located in the city's Jung district, it dates back to the late Joseon era (1392-1897), when Korea was still a tributary state of China.
The Chinatown in Seoul's Daerim neighbourhood is full of shops selling goods from China that are difficult to find elsewhere in South Korea. Photo: Erika Na
In 1882, the Chinese sent troops to quell a political uprising in
Seoul . The troops were accompanied by around 40 Chinese traders.
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