THE FIRST KNOWN KOREAN contact with Canada came in 1898 as the result of the Canadian mission movement and its pastoral, medical, and educational work in the historic Hamgyong Province and neighbouring China (Manchuria). There was little Korean immigration to Canada before the Second World War although a small group of students and Christian converts, deeply influenced by Canadian missionaries, had come during the prewar period. More substantial immigration began at the close of the Korean War. The increasing numbers of Koreans included northerners who, having fled head long from political persecution and became refugees in the south, decided to seek a fresh start.

When Canada adopted a more liberal immigration policy in 1967 whereby applicants would be officially judged on the basis of individual skills and the needs of the Canadian economy, and formal diplomatic relations were established, Koreans began to arrive in even greater numbers. In the 1996 census of Canada, a total of 66,655 persons claimed Korean ancestry. A geographical break down of Korean settlement in Canada showed that the vast majority – 36,515 – reside in Ontario. Other provinces with a substantial Korean settlement include British Columbia (19,610), Alberta (4,845), and Quebec (3,925). The largest single Korean concentration was found in Toronto where 15,525 reside; other large centres for Korean settlement included Vancouver (9,055) and Montreal (3,510). Of note, Canada’s first permanent settler was Tae-yon Hwang, a mission-sponsored medical intern who came to Alberta in 1948. He chose to remain after his training, settling in Blind River, Ontario. Hwang was soon to be joined by other students and by independent immigrants.Most of Canada’s Koreans are highly skilled workers or professionals including physicians, nurses, dentists, accountants, college and university teachers. A number of Koreans have also climbed into the entrepreneurial class, opening small businesses – specialty food shops, restaurants, travel agencies, and real estate offices. The community has also dominated the managerial ranks of convenience chain stores. In Toronto, a Korean small business neighbourhood emerged on Bloor Street West between Bathurst Street and Dovercourt Road. Restaurants, bakeries, gift shops, grocery stores, and travel agencies dot the street. Toronto also became home to three Korean banks – Korea Exchange, Chohung, and Hanil – credit unions, and industrial branchplants of several major Korean industrial corporations including Hyundae and Samsung.

Koreans who have come to Canada have shown remarkable initiative in creating community associations. These associations in Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Vancouver organize and administer a wide range of social and cultural activities. They also do the community proud by participating in numerous multicultural and municipal events including Caravan in Toronto, Folklorama in Winnipeg, Heritage Festival in Edmonton, and Asian Music Festival in Vancouver. Korean Canadians also organize around common or shared interests and kinship ties. School and college graduates come together in support of one another through membership in alumni associations.

The first Korean newspaper published in Canada was Hanka Jubo (Korean Canada Times) which, started in Toronto, was published from 1971 to 1972. Present day newspapers include the Korea Times Daily, New Korea Times , and the Korea News. Korean language broadcasting can also be found in the larger settlement areas. Korean community life revolves heavily around its religious institutions. The most important are largely Protestant (United and Presbyterian) although there are also a substantial number of Roman Catholics and Buddhists – devoted adherents of Korea’s dominant religion. The Protestant Church, having been very influential in Korea, no doubt influenced the choice of religion for the many who came to Canada. The first Korean Protestant church in Canada was established in Montreal in 1965 in the basement of that city’s First Presbyterian Church. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that the community soon produced a Protestant religious leader, the Reverend Sang Chul Lee, minister of the Toronto Korean United Church, who was named Moderator of the United Church of Canada in 1988.

Koreans are a people rich in folk traditions. Their contributions to Canada range from dance, music, and Tae Kwon Do (the art of self-defence) to the many glories of Korean cuisine. Canadian broadcasting has been enriched by the presence of second generation Korean-Canadian journalists based in Toronto including Ben Chin of City TV, Monica Kim of the Global Television Network, and Son-Kyung Yi of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.