Ethnic Koreans in Ukraine, particularly in the Mykolaiv region, have a rich history dating back to their deportation from the Russian Far East in the 1930s. Many, like Olena and Oleh Pak, descend from families who moved to Ukraine in the 1950s and 1970s to become farmers. They maintain cultural traditions such as speaking Korean and making kimchi. The ongoing war since February 2022 has severely impacted their farming operations, yet they continue to strive for resilience by supporting the local community amidst adversity.
As we always spoke Korean at home and upheld traditions like making kimchi, it connects us to our roots. It's essential for our identity.
The Paks expanded their business in the 2000s with three greenhouses, but the 2022 invasion led to devastating losses, leaving them with only one greenhouse.
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