This article will address the issue of French people in Korea, an issue of great relevance today. French people in Korea has captured the attention of experts and the general public, generating a wide debate in various areas. Over the years, French people in Korea has been the subject of extensive research and has undergone significant changes, prompting increased interest in understanding its impact and scope. In this context, it is essential to analyze in detail the implications of French people in Korea and its influence in different contexts. This article will seek to exhaustively explore the different facets of French people in Korea, delving into its most relevant aspects and providing a comprehensive view of its importance in the current panorama.
Total population | |
---|---|
5,343 (2015) | |
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.
French people began coming to Korea as early as the seventeenth century, when French Catholic missionaries first came to the country. 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.
There were an estimated 5,343 French nationals in South Korea as of 2016. 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. Most French children only attend elementary or middle school in Seoul, but then return to France afterwards.
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. 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.