Where are large Korean-speaking communities outside the Korean Peninsula?

Large Korean-speaking communities exist in several regions outside the Korean Peninsula, primarily due to historical migration patterns before and during the 20th century.12

Significant populations of Korean speakers are located in the following areas:

• China: Home to more than 2 million speakers, many of whom are descendants of individuals who migrated to Manchuria and other parts of northeastern China before World War II.123
• United States: There are approximately 1 million Korean speakers residing in the United States.3
• Japan: Approximately 500,000 Korean speakers live in Japan. Many of these communities trace their origins to the colonial period, when large numbers of Koreans migrated—often under duress—to work as laborers.1423

Additionally, smaller but notable Korean-speaking populations have established themselves in other countries, including Canada.1