How a suburban London town became the unlikely heart of Europe's Korean community
In short: New Malden, a quiet corner of southwest London, holds a surprising distinction: it is home to Europe's largest expatriate Korean population. While the area began as a modest railway suburb, it evolved into a vibrant cultural hub, hosting thousands of Korean residents, language schools, and a thriving local culinary scene.
The transformation of New Malden into a 'Little Korea' began in the 1970s, driven by several unique factors. The presence of the South Korean Ambassador’s residence in nearby Coombe Lane West acted as a primary anchor for the community. This was bolstered by historical business ties, including a 1950s joint venture between a Korean chaebol and the local firm Racal Avionics, and the former UK headquarters of Samsung Electronics, which remained in the area until 2005.
Today, the area serves as a central shopping and cultural destination for Koreans across South-West London. The local economy features approximately 20 Korean restaurants and cafes, alongside specialized supermarkets and language-focused institutions. By 2014, estimates suggested about 10,000 ethnic Koreans lived in New Malden proper, with the surrounding population reaching 20,000. This includes roughly 600 North Koreans, marking the largest such group in Europe.
Beyond its modern identity, New Malden has a long history shaped by infrastructure and conflict. Established following the 1846 opening of its railway station, the area grew from a small parish into a borough by 1936. It faced significant hardship during the Second World War, suffering a major bombing raid on 16 August 1940 that killed about 50 people and damaged 1,300 homes. Today, the town balances this history with its role as a diverse, modern suburb, even maintaining a twin city status with Jaffna, Sri Lanka, to reflect its multicultural character.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: New Malden
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