Beijing “Korea Town” symbolizes trade and ties between two countries

World Today

Beijing "Korea Town" symbolizes trade and ties between two countries

Official data from Seoul shows more than 62,000 South Koreans studied in China in 2012, more than double since 2003. A further 70,000 now live and work in Beijing with China being South Korea’s biggest trading partner. Grace Brown reports from the capital’s “Korea Town”.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit South Korea on Thursday and Friday for the first time since taking office last year. Ties between the two countries have grown steadily in recent years.

An example of this is “Korea Town” or Wudaokou, one of the oldest Korean settlements in China. Since the 1990’s, Korean students have come here to learn Chinese at nearby language schools. As a result, more and more Korean restaurants, fashion stores, electronics shops and karaoke bars have opened here too.

Beijing

Official data from Seoul shows more than 62,000 South Koreans studied in China in 2012, more than double since 2003. A further 70,000 now live and work in Beijing with China being South Korea's biggest trading partner. Grace Brown reports from the capital's "Korea Town".

According to the South Korean government, Koreans are now the largest group of international students in China.

South Korea’s trade with China has climbed roughly 20 percent every year, between 1992 and 2012, to $230 billion. However, it’s South Korea that runs a surplus, hitting $63 billion last year.. This is thanks to electronics and stylish clothes.

With China’s President set to meet South Korea’s President, Park Geun-Hye, during his visit, it’s likely trade and ties between the two countries will grow even further.