Why have Koreans migrated to Angeles City, Philippines?

Abstract

Koreans have migrated to Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines since around 2008. This study was conducted to (1) identify the causes of such migration and (2) describe the impacts of Korean migration to the city. The study used the push-pull theory of migration as framework. Interviews and surveys were conducted among seven city government officials, 20 officials and staff of the five barangays where the Koreans reside and operate businesses, and six officials and staff of the Korean Community Association Central Luzon Inc. The study found that: (1) the relatively lower educational attainment of Koreans, and their underachievement in business in their home country as push factors; while business opportunities, cheap labor, English education, leisure, tourism, good climate, accessibility of Angeles City via the Clark International Airport, low cost of living, Filipinos being accommodating to foreigners, the opportunity to gain religious converts, and favorable national laws and local ordinances to foreigners as pull factors; and (2) the positive impacts of Korean migration to the city are the creation of employment and business opportunities and the generation of government revenues from barangay clearances, business permits, and taxes, while pollution, traffic, crimes, dilution or distortion of Filipino culture, repatriation of profits to Korea, and the relegation of Filipinos to mere employees of Korean establishments are the negative impacts. The study recommended (1) the validation of the push and pull factors that were identified in this study with the Korean migrants themselves as interviewees and respondents, (2) the valuation of the positive and negative impacts of Korean migration to the city that were enumerated in this study, and (3) the determination of the working conditions of the Filipino employees of Korean establishments. A prerequisite of these three future research endeavours, however, is the creation of rosters of Korean migrants, Korean businesses, and Filipino employees of Korean establishments in Angeles City.