'Being a foreigner in Korea is hard, being black makes it worse”

[SHUTTERSTOCK]

Benjamin Devise

With over 151,000 international students even at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, Korea remains one of the most attractive places to study for students from all over the world. While many of these students come from Asia and Europe, a minority also comes from Africa.

However, there is little representation of Africa in Korean media without falling into clichés and an overrepresentation of poverty. An advertisement for Médecins Sans Frontières Korea, for example, uses an image of a child in rags living in the dust. These images of Africa as an underdeveloped, poverty-stricken place can add to the stigma and even racism that some international students can face in Korea.

Karen, Lanre and Fatima are all black students from Africa living in Korea and studying at different Korean universities. They have asked to withhold their identities as they worry that they could face a backlash after speaking out about their experience of studying in Korea.

A lack of education

All three students agree that just being black in Korea attracts a lot of attention and discomfort.

"When I ride the subway, people look at me and never want to sit next to me unless it is the last seat available,” Karen said.

Lanre described how once, while he was out walking, "a little girl saw me and then went to hide behind her parents while looking at me as if I wanted to hurt her.”

This kind of reaction seems to be common and could come from a lack of education on racial issues.

Fatima also noted that some cultural features like braids, which are worn by some Korean rappers for a hip-hop look, are appropriated, and used in a different way than their original meaning.

“Before doing it, you try to learn what is behind it and why these people are doing this, you don’t just do it for the style” said Fatima.

Lanre also said that some of his classmates in Suwon kept repeating that Africa was very poor, and even asked questions like, "Do you have cars?” This type of behavior can continue to convey a lot of clichés, prejudices and preconceived notions about African people.

Institutional issues

The issue is not only a lack of education on racial issues, but also seems to extend to the culture in some schools and universities.

Karen arrived in Korea in 2014 and went to study in a Korean high school once she finished learning Korean. On her very first day in school she sat in the front row and, "the teacher came up to me, took my hand, and asked me if I was dirty or if I was just black."

Fortunately, since she arrived at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, where she now studies, there have been no incidents from the administration or teachers.

Fatima had a similar experience when one of her university professors used the "N-word," a word considered unacceptable even in most academic uses, during class. Fatima said she was "shocked, especially since it is possible to refer to this word indirectly."

Lack of state support

Being a highly industrialized country does not only mean having a good economy and growth, but also ensuring a certain standard of living condition and access to human rights and protection.

Unlike most other countries considered developed, Korea lacks an anti-discrimination law. There have been regular attempts to introduce such legislation, but it has been repeatedly delayed. The move was postponed again last November, with the Democratic Party saying it wanted to reach a consensus with the People Power Party rather than forcing through the law on its own.

Without an anti-discrimination law, Korea stands out from the other OECD countries. Indeed, any individual on European Union soil can sue one of the member states in front of the European Union Court of Justice if they have been discriminated against on their gender, race, political beliefs or sexual orientation.

In the majority of U.S. campuses, anti-discrimination policies exist as well, such as Harvard University and its Title IX adopted in 1972.

“I feel that it is unfair and intentional," said Lanre. "These things happen. I don’t want to be too broad, but it feels intentional. Koreans are conservative and put themselves there. As a foreign student, I don’t want to get into trouble."

Without protection, any kind of discrimination is possible.

“Some persons told me that would not hire me because I am black," Karen said, "and that some of the clients won’t come to the place anymore.”

Adjusting to Korea



Where you live in Korea can also make a difference. All three students say that life in Seoul, with its large international community and lively neighborhoods like Itaewon, central Seoul, can be a little easier and people can be more open-minded.

“In Seoul, even if you are a Korean that does not like foreigner, you can accept it, in Itaewon you see black people," Lanre said. "But in Suwon, I spend a week without seeing another black person. Society and the area matter. It depends on the population and how many foreigners are living there. You do not expect them to be open-minded if no foreigner is settled in the area.”

It is better to be well informed before going to study in another country, but even more so for black African students coming to Korea.

Fatima advises potential students "check if the university has other African or black students," and have a look at YouTube videos discussing life at Korean universities.

Karen adds that you need to be "mentally prepared and strong."

"Being a foreigner in Korea is hard," Fatima said, "being black makes it worse.”

BY STUDENT REPORTER BENJAMIN DEVISE [kjd.kcampus@joongang.co.kr]