Yanbian Joseonjok, South Korea's economy and shifting perceptions

Inside the buildings, the flooring and facilities appeared seriously neglected.

The CCTV cameras were no longer operating, and items left behind by North Korean staff, including flower bouquets, remained where they were.

Many CCTV cameras were concentrated on both sides of the area around the Ryugyong Hotel. This is presumed to be meant to monitor people and prevent outsiders from fleeing.

The host noted how the density of CCTV differs among similar North Korea-linked facilities, suggesting these security measures were installed for specific purposes.

This is a common price for coffee at local tea houses.

He relayed that economic conditions had worsened to the point where Chinese people find it hard to get jobs in South Korea.

He noted that South Korea's economic slowdown is also felt in China as a shortage of jobs.

He added that this makes it hard for doctors to earn a lot of money.

He compared this with South Korea's medical system, saying that in China doctors are not a high-income profession as they are in Korea.

He added that a Korean had invested in the hotel.

The current asking price for the Ryugyong Hotel is estimated at 20 million yuan (roughly 4 billion won).

This reflects the importance of family and friends, and the conversation moved on to generational discussion of marriage and economic conditions.

One conversation participant said that before visiting Yanbian, they stressed to their parents how safe Yanbian is. This reflects the high level of public safety in the region.

It suggests that visitors find Yanbian quite safe and satisfying.

This shows that perceptions of Koreans have changed compared with the past.

The difference in perceptions of Koreans' appearance and attitudes appears to be contributing to this decline in preference.

He explained that many Joseonjok have used money earned in South Korea to run nursing homes in Yanbian or to succeed in restaurants and small businesses.

A conversation participant said Joseonjok who went to South Korea as workers were subjected to contempt, verbal abuse, and unfair treatment by their bosses. He explained that these experiences are a main cause of negative feelings toward Koreans.

He added that the discomfort in relations with Koreans comes from small things, such as greeting customs, to which people react sensitively.

This shows how discrimination at South Korean workplaces leads to anti-Korean sentiment within the Joseonjok community.

He explained that China has 56 ethnic groups, and Han Chinese are distinguished as 'Chinese-descended Chinese.'

A conversation participant said that the countries once known as monoethnic were North Korea and South Korea, but today South Korea is the most multicultural country in the world. He added that North Korea is now the only monoethnic country left.

He took a critical view of this multicultural trend, arguing that South Korea has lost its patriotism and has no hope.

Looking from the outside, he expressed concern about the direction South Korea is heading.

These views reflect the deep concern within Joseonjok society about ethnic identity and the future of the nation.