In 1937, Koreans residing in the Russian Far East were forcibly relocated. The Soviet government classified them as an “untrustworthy people” and loaded hundreds of thousands onto cattle trains bound for Central Asia. During this forced migration, many families were separated, historical records were lost, and Korean schools were shut down, effectively ending Korean language education. This marked a severe crisis for the identity of Koryo-Saram.
However, despite these hardships, Koryo-Saram made continuous efforts to preserve their ethnic identity. They maintained their heritage through theater, cuisine, and newspapers. Established in 1923, Koryo Ilbo (formerly known as the March 1 Newspaper) upheld the spirit of the March 1st Movement and carried the aspirations of Koryo-Saram independence activists. To this day, it remains one of the oldest Korean-language newspapers published outside the Korean Peninsula. Additionally, the Korean Theatre of Kazakhstan, one of the first national theaters of its kind, has played a key role in preserving Koryo-Saram culture even after forced relocation.
Despite these efforts, many Koryo-Saram lost their native language, and their connection to Korea weakened. Nevertheless, they continued to uphold their traditions through unique adaptations of cuisine and the arts. A notable example is morkovcha, a Koryo-Saram version of carrot salad, which has become a staple in Central Asia. Some Koryo-Saram families still cultivate soybeans in desert soil and make tofu from scratch, maintaining traditional Korean food culture.
The Story of Hana, a Koryo-Saram Living in Colorado
Hana grew up in Kazakhstan and is now a U.S. citizen residing in Colorado. She shared her experiences and perspectives on Koryo-Saram history and identity.
The Significance of March 1st and Koryo-Saram’s Role in the Independence Movement
For Hana, commemorating March 1st carries profound meaning as a descendant of Koryo-Saram.
“Manse! (Long live Korean independence!)”
“This is what my ancestors wanted to shout for decades but were unable to. March 1st is deeply significant to me because I feel that I can finally say it on their behalf. Koryo-Saram have always fought for Korea’s independence, and even when they could not openly express their patriotism, they showed through their actions that they did everything they could to preserve Korean culture and identity.”
After the March 1st Movement in 1919, many Korean independence activists fled to the Russian Far East, where they established a Korean exile government against Japanese rule. However, the forced relocation of 1937 led to the loss of many independence records, making it challenging for descendants to honor their ancestors’ contributions.
Challenges of Life as a Koryo-Saram
Hana pointed to language as one of the biggest challenges faced by Koryo-Saram.
“In Kazakhstan, children today must learn Kazakh, English, and Russian, and some even study Chinese at the same time. In such an environment, maintaining Korean identity and learning the Korean language is difficult. I speak four languages fluently, but Korean is my fifth, and I must admit that I will never master it perfectly at this stage of my life.”
She also shared how her grandmother was unable to reunite with her family due to forced relocation.
“During the 1937 deportation, families were separated and placed on different cattle trains. For decades, Koreans officially did not have freedom of movement. My grandmother never knew if her family survived or if they were in another city, as they were not allowed to travel.”
Maintaining Koryo-Saram Identity in the U.S.
Despite the challenges of adapting to a new country, Hana has a positive outlook on maintaining her identity as a Koryo-Saram in the U.S.
“Americans are generally open-minded and accepting. I have had no trouble fitting in and getting along with different groups of people. I have been a U.S. citizen for over a decade now, having made personal sacrifices while moving around the world for the good of this country. Now, I fully enjoy being a Korean in America.”
However, she acknowledges the struggles that new Korean immigrants face when adjusting to life in a new country.
The Koryo-Saram Community and Its Connection to Korea
When asked about other Koryo-Saram in Colorado, Hana shared her perspective:
“I am sure there are more Koryo-Saram in Colorado than I can think of because we are everywhere! The challenge in locating us is that we often have Russian names instead of Korean surnames, or in some cases, even American names. In my case, my Korean surname was constantly mispronounced, and I had to explain to every new person I met why an Asian had a Russian name. Our Korean names were also mispronounced back in Russia, which is why we were given Russian names.”
To simplify her life, Hana eventually changed her last name and now fully embraces her Korean first name, Hana.
She also emphasized the importance of preserving Koryo-Saram traditions and strengthening ties with Korea.
“Many Koryo-Saram work in South Korea, contributing to its economy by filling jobs that are difficult to staff. Many young Koryo-Saram families have children born and raised in South Korea. It would be beneficial for Korea to provide an easier path to permanent residency or citizenship for Koryo-Saram. This would solidify the connection between Korea and Koryo-Saram communities abroad.”
A History That Must Not Be Forgotten
Forced relocation devastated the lives of countless Koryo-Saram, causing the loss of language and historical records. However, Koryo-Saram have persevered, maintaining their ethnic identity through newspapers, theater, and cuisine. Even today, they continue to strengthen their connection to Korea while keeping their history alive.
This year, in commemoration of March 1st, the Korean Association of Colorado Springs is planning an event to honor Koryo-Saram’s contributions to the independence movement. It is crucial that the history and spirit of Koryo-Saram continue to be remembered and passed on to future generations.
