South Koreans have recently made the Philippines their favorite country of destination. There are now close to one Million South Koreans in the Philippines and this number is increasing by leaps and bounds.
The primary reason for this sudden shift is attributed to the warm Philippine climate compared to South Korea’s extremely cold weather. Another reason is the relative ease in setting up a business in the Philippines. Some South Koreans come to the Philippines to study the English language which they find easier because of the availability of English speaking teachers offering English tutorial courses at a very reasonable price. Other Koreans come to the Philippines to pursue higher education in known colleges and Universities.
The sizeable number of South koreans in the country have encouraged other Koreans to set up their businesses to cater to the needs of their fellow Koreans. Others have opened Korean restaurants and grocery stores selling Korean products.
One of the world’s largest shipbuilding company, Hanjin Heavy Industries has recently opened a shipbuilding facility in Subic Bay, Philippines. This facilty have employed thousands of Filipino skilled workers and a good number of South Koreans who make up the core manpower of the shipbuilding facility. In order to serve the needs of these Korean workers and executives, other enterprising Koreans have established hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, and other business that cater to the Korean community in the area.
It is estimated that the number of Koreans will hit the million mark in one or two years. If this upward trend continues, the Philippines will witness the sprouting of a new Korean community even in the remotest areas of the country. Presently, South koreans are scattered all over the country, with Baguio City as their second favorite destination next to Metro Manila.
South Koreans blend well with the Filipino community because they don’t engage in violent activities and are regarded as generally peaceful and friendly people.