China and Korea are linked up in Manchuria at the Yalu River, and it is possible to see Korea across the Yellow Sea from Shantung. Because of geographic proximity, 90% of Korea's Overseas Chinese are from Shantung.
According to written records, Chinese immigration to Korea began in the Chou dynasty, though a more formal overseas Chinese community only began to take shape at the end of the 19th century. The following is a chronology of major events for Korean Chinese:
1882:
The Ching dynasty dispatched troops to put down a military rebellion; given Ching protection, the number of Chinese businessmen increased dramatically.
1890:
Japan eradicated Korea, and there was a chaotic period with disruption by the warlord of Shantung, Japanese police, the Boxers, and bandits; during this period another 8,000 Chinese laborers went there to work in the mines. On the other hand, nearly one million Koreans fled to Manchuria.
1931:
Due to the seizure of a water channel as well as Japanese instigation, the "Wanbao Mountain Incident" (a clash between China and Korea) occurred; throughout Korea there was anti-Chinese feeling. Still, though the number of Overseas Chinese killed reached 150, after the event the resident Chinese head count continually grew, going from 30,000 to 80,000.
1937:
The War of Resistance Against Japan began, and many Chinese returned home, leaving only 20,000 people behind.
1945:
Korea was liberated, the mainland fell to the Chinese Communists, and again a group of Chinese moved to Korea. About 40,000 fortunate ones were reunited with their families, but even more were cut off from contact with home for the next 40 years.
1950:
The Korean War broke out, and Korean Chinese migrated in great numbers to Hong kong and Taiwan. Only after the war did their number gradually return to about 40,000.
1970:
Korea adopted a policy of shrinking the number of resident foreigners, and the number of Korean Chinese steadily declined under laws restricting foreigners' activities.
1992:
Korea broke relations with the ROC, and the future of the 22,000 Overseas Chinese was left in limbo. On the other hand, the Koreans living in Manchuria are longer permitted to enter North Korea to visit relatives.