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Korea Times project, part 4: Korean community in St. Louis

August 26, 2015

Korean-owned beauty supply businesses are common staples around the country, but it all started here in St. Louis 30 years ago.

Korea Times reporter Koo Sung-hoon stands in St. Louis with the Gateway Arch to his back.

Korea Times reporter James Goo stands in St. Louis with the Gateway Arch to his back.

By James Goo

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI — About 8,000 Koreans and Korean Americans reside in St. Louis, Missouri, a city where the first immigrants from South Korea appeared about 40 years ago.

Korean-owned beauty supply businesses are common staples around the country, but it all started here in St. Louis 30 years ago.

As of the end of 2014, there were approximately 100 Korean-owned beauty supply stores in the city.

The small Korean American population has not stopped locals from providing cultural and social services through organizations — each year, the Korean American Association of St. Louis puts on a sports competition during Memorial Day weekend.

Other organizations, including a beauty supply association, a youth society, a choir and Korean language schools, have also become pillars of the local Korean American community.

KAASL President Cho Won-gu, 69, runs a beauty supply business in Ferguson, located about 8 miles north of the city.

“I arrived in St. Louis in 1998 after first immigrating to Paraguay, then living in Brazil, Argentina, New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles,” Cho said. “Living here for 20 years, I’ve felt that this is a quiet city that reminds me of home.”

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  30. Juleta Burrell

    June 2, 2018 at 4:46 AM

    Re: Olive-170 redev

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  31. Juleta Burrell

    June 2, 2018 at 4:48 AM

    Re: Olive-170 redevelopment plan.
    Seeking help to reach St. Andrew Kim Korean Catholic confr

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  32. Juleta Burrell

    June 2, 2018 at 4:50 AM

    Re: Olive-170 redevelopment plan.
    Seeking help to reach St. Andrew Kim Korean Catholic congregation. The redevelopment would destroy the chu

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  33. Juleta Burrell

    June 2, 2018 at 4:54 AM

    Re: Olive-170 redevelopment plan.
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