Endangered Korean Minority Society in China: Recent Socio-demographic Changes in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture

Abstract

This paper attempts to explore recent socio-demographic changes in the ethnic Korean population in Yanbian autonomous prefecture. Based on analysis of data from the 1990 and 2000 Chinese population censuses, this study focuses on recent changes in fertility, mortality and population structure of ethnic Koreans in Yanbian. Due to a rapid decrease in the level of fertility and population ageing, the Korean population in Yanbian has been in a decreasing trend in absolute numbers after the introduction of the market economy and the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and China. The growing tendency of regional mobility for work and marriage, the rapid expansion of residential areas, a serious crisis in ethnic education in Korean schools, and weakening social integration and ethnic identity of Koreans in Yanbian are also discussed.