South Korea: A Mongolian’s view

By A.JARGALMAA

Today, Korea is the most visited country by Mongolians and statistics show that Mongolians are most likely to choose Korea as a place to work. In 2008, 33000 Mongolians were living in Korea making up 0.2 percent of the Korean population.
One of the most interesting things about Korea is its flexibility. Economically, Korea is already fully developed, which is intriguing when one remembers the number tragedies that have befallen Korea throughout its rich history. Today Korea is a vibrant and prosperous place, modern and fast moving but is also fiercely traditional and historically aware.
Korea has a culture-history that can be found not only in the landscape that has shaped the people of Korea, but also in the legacies of people from other countries, in particular China and Japan.
Korea has four distinct seasons. Summer can be a bit hot, and very rainy too. But when the sun shines, it is just like one of the Mongolian sunny hot days. One thing that is different from Mongolia is the air. Foggy, moist and less polluted. They found a smart solution in decreasing air pollution by creating a green environment.
Korean people are among the friendliest people in Asia. I have yet to go there and not make a new friend. You will hear people say that it is hard to do so. Really it is all a matter of attitude and making the effort to get to know people's customs, language and culture.

Most Koreans think that Mongolians cause trouble around the country while they are working in Korea illegally. But when you are being polite and respectful and you will get along just fine.
One thing that impressed me about Korea is the cuisine. Rice is the staple food of the Korean diet.
Having been an almost exclusively agricultural country until recently, the essential recipes in Korea are shaped by this.
The main crops in Korea are rice, barley, and beans, but many supplementary crops are used. Fish and other seafood are also important because Korea is a peninsula.
Fermented recipes were developed in early times. These include pickled fish and pickled vegetables. This kind of food provides essential proteins and vitamins during the winter. Kimchi is one of the famous foods from Korea. Kimchi is pickled vegtables which contains vitamins A and C, thiamine, riboflavin, iron, calcium, carotene, etc. There are many types of kimchi including cabbage kimchi, string onion kimchi, cucumber kimchi, radish kimchi, and sesame kimchi.
Mongolian teenagers really like the fashion and music that comes from Mongolia. The K-Pop sensation is sweeping Asia not only in Mongolia.
Korean teenagers have their own unique fashion styles. When I was shopping in the shops in Dongdaemun I felt like I was in a fashion show.
The stores at Dongdaemun have a large range of product diversity. You can find everything fashionable you need here, clothing, accessories, bags, shoes, textiles, and fabrics.
The stores often use K-pop stars to advertise for them by performing on stages set up outside their shops.
I met a lot of Mongolians who were working and shopping in this are. I met a girl who studies at a university in Korea. She really likes living in Korea, and she said after her graduation, she wants to live in Korea, not to go back to Mongolia, the quality of life she said, is better than in Mongolia.
It is these types of things that draw Mongolians to Korea and helps to explain why so many Mongolians live there. Life in Korea can be quite good for Mongolians and sometimes easier than staying at home. Jobs may draw Mongolians to Korea, but it is the quality of life that keeps them there.

Source: UB Post