Comments on: Koreans Among Poorest of Asian-Americans

By: ChickenHead

ChickenHead — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:02:00 +0000

Here are some theories…

Many Koreans who become rich and successful in America come BACK to Korea to enjoy (flaunt?) their success. This also applies to professionals who return to Korea to get equally high-paying jobs with the elevated social status lacking in American employment.

On the other hand, doctors and engineers from most of the other countries would be taking a large pay cut and reduction in general living standards to return to their countries.

Also, many very rich people from some of the third world countries listed immigrate to America… very rich Koreans stay in Korea.

By: gerry

gerry — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:37:11 +0000

I tend to agree. I'm intersted in the comments of others as well. Are other asian nationals so much more honest than Koreans?

By: Teadrinker

Teadrinker — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 06:35:13 +0000

"Any theories…"

Those numbers are from 1999.

By: Sonagi

Sonagi — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 05:58:13 +0000

Many adult Korean immigrants in the US are business owners. According to a K-A commenter at the Hole, underreporting income was the norm. It's very easy to do in a small family business. My dry cleaner issues hand-written receipts.

By: Cloying_Odor

Cloying_Odor — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 05:25:17 +0000

This data is reported income. Koreans love to lie, cheat, steal and not report income. Wasn't a recent article about the Korean black market (I am not talking about selling commisary cheese) being 20 some percent of their GDP.

By: guitard

guitard — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 05:15:33 +0000

A large portion of the Koreans in America are 1st generation immigrants – who showed up not speaking English – and they didn't have much more than a suitcase and a few hundred dollars.

As a general statement, the Japanese and Chinese have been around much, much longer and are more integrated into American society.

By: Greg

Greg — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 04:26:26 +0000

My guess is that non-Korean Asians are mostly highly skilled H1-B visa holders with high-paying jobs. The Korean Asians are not H1B visa holders.

By: Leon LaPorte

Leon LaPorte — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 04:18:36 +0000

Or it is more difficult to lie, cheat and steal in America which kinda cut into their usual modus operandi.

By: Greg

Greg — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 03:30:30 +0000

Filipinos are high on the list because of the nurses. There is a huge amount of Filipino nurses in America, who earn good money.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 02:21:31 +0000

FYI – typo in the headline