Origins & History
Korean ethnic identity developed on the Korean peninsula over more than two millennia, shaped by early Bronze Age settlers and cultural exchange with neighboring China and Japan. The unified Silla kingdom (668–935 CE) is often cited as the first political entity to consolidate a distinct Korean identity, followed by the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. The peninsula has been divided into North and South Korea since 1948.
Geographic Distribution
There are approximately 76 million ethnic Koreans worldwide. The vast majority live on the Korean peninsula: around 51 million in South Korea and 25 million in North Korea. Korean is the official language of both states.
Diaspora & Migration
The Korean diaspora numbers roughly 7 million people. The largest communities are in China (around 2 million, primarily in the Yanbian region near the border), the United States (nearly 2 million, concentrated in California, New York, and Georgia), and Japan (around 500,000). Smaller but notable communities exist in Central Asia (particularly Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan), Canada, and Australia.
About This Map
This map reflects where visitors perceive Korean populations to live. Beyond the Korean peninsula itself, votes may highlight countries with well-established Korean communities or where Korean culture has strong visibility.
The map above shows crowd opinion, not official demographic data. Vote on the main map to contribute your own perception of where Korean populations live.