The Ethnic Enclaves and Multiculturalism in Itaewon A

The Ethnic Enclaves and Multi-culturalism in Itaewon

A History of Itaewwon � The Yongsan Area � The Japanese Invasion in 1592 ◦ A military base for the Japanese Army � The Imo Military Revolt in 1882 � The Japanese Colonial Rule, 1910 -1945 � The U. S. Forces Korea, 1945 - ◦ A military base for the Qing Army ◦ The Command Headquarter of the Japanese Military Forces in Korea ◦ The Combined Forces Command ◦ The 8 th U. S. Army headquarter ◦ The support facilities including schools, hospital, hotel, restaurants for the U. S. military

� The Emergence of Itaewon as a Multicultural Neighborhood Presence of the U. S. Military Base in Yongsan � The American Military Personnel, Civilians, and their Families � The Business Establishments Serving the American Soldiers and their Families ◦ ◦ ◦ Shops Restaurants Bars, Cafes, and Clubs Hotels Schools Churches � The Settlement of International Migrants � Becoming an Attraction for International Tourists

The Subcultures of Itaewon Neighborhood �A Mosque � Churches with Multi-racial Congregations � Shops and Restaurants Owned and Operated by Muslim Families � Shops selling the Name Brand Knock-offs � Ethnic Restaurants � “Gay Hill”: Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, and Transgender Establishments � “Hooker Hill” � International Tourists � Increasing Popularity among Korean Shoppers

The Other Sides of Itaewon � The Leeum Museum at the East End of Itaewon � The Yongsan International School � Embassies of Many Countries � New Development in Gyeongridan Gil Area

Discussion � Itaewon as “De-territorialized Space” � Itaewon as “Transnational Space” � The American Influence ◦ Consumer Goods ◦ Popular Culture ◦ The Behavioral Cultures of the American Military Troops � The Exposure of Koreans to the Multiculturalism � The Possible Impacts of the Relocation of the U. S. Military Base at Yongsan on Itaewon