|
National pride among ethnic Koreans abroad runs highest when the Korean team in baseball, football or other types of sports performs well, a survey suggests.
Gallup Korea conducted a telephone poll on national identity of 501 ethnic Koreans living in the Los Angeles area at the request of the Korea Town News daily. Asked if they were proud to be Korean, 78 percent said yes. Respondents who did not feel strongly either way accounted for 19 percent, while a mere 3 percent said they were not proud. Those of Korean descent were equally proud whether they were second- or first-generation immigrants. Age and education were also not a factor.
Asked when they felt most proud of their heritage, the biggest group of respondents (32 percent) said when the Korean national teams triumphed in sporting events. Some 14 percent singled out the moment when Korea beat the U.S. team in the World Baseball Classic in March. Next was when Koreans despite being a minority are able to achieve prominence in any field (9 percent), and when people acknowledge that there are many outstanding and intelligent Koreans (6 percent). Times when respondents saw Korean-Americans work hard were proud moments for 5 percent, and another 5 percent glowed when the quality of Korean products was praised.
The survey also asked about the discrimination Korean immigrants face. But 61 percent said they were not being discriminated against, while 24 percent thought they had been the victims of discrimination, and 16 percent said the level was ¡°normal.¡± Those in their 20s experienced less discrimination with 10 percent than those in their 30s and 40s (30 percent).
Asked why they experienced discrimination, 30 percent cited their poor English. Ten percent cited Caucasians¡¯ bias about Asians, 9 percent felt discriminated against at public institutions, and 3 percent when they go out to eat in a fancy restaurant.
To the question whether Koreans living abroad should have the right to vote in the Korean presidential election, 57 percent said yes and 42 percent no.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
|
