Wolverhampton

A Korean’s Journey to Home: A Story of Struggle and Success in Wolverhampton, UK

In the early 2000s, Min-Jin Lee (born in North Korea, 1980) faced a pivotal moment when he was granted a humanitarian visa to migrate to the United Kingdom. After years of economic hardship and political instability in his home country, Min-Jin chose Wolverhampton—a city with a strong industrial heritage and a growing immigrant community—as his first destination in the UK. His journey began with nothing but a small savings fund and a dream of stability.

Initially, Min-Jin struggled to find work in Wolverhampton. The city’s traditional industries, such as steel manufacturing and textiles, were dominated by local workers, and language barriers made it difficult for him to secure employment. He took a temporary job at a local factory for six months, where he learned English through short, informal sessions with colleagues. “The first day was terrifying,” Min-Jin recalled in a 2015 interview with the Wolverhampton Chronicle. “I couldn’t even order a simple meal. But the factory workers were kind—they taught me basic phrases over tea breaks.”

To overcome isolation and build a future, Min-Jin enrolled in free English language courses at Wolverhampton College (a real institution with a long history of supporting immigrants). He also joined the Korean Community Centre in Wolverhampton, established in 2001 to assist North Korean and Korean immigrants. There, he met other migrants who shared similar challenges, forming a support network that helped him navigate bureaucracy, housing, and cultural differences. By 2005, Min-Jin had saved enough money to start a small business: a mobile food stall selling Korean street food in the city’s market district.

His perseverance paid off. In 2008, Min-Jin opened “Jin’s Corner”, a small restaurant that became a community hub for Wolverhampton’s growing Korean diaspora. He worked tirelessly—often 14-hour days—to ensure quality food and affordable prices, while also mentoring younger immigrants. By 2012, his business had expanded to include a weekly Korean language workshop, helping over 50 new arrivals integrate into British society.

Today, Min-Jin lives in a modest home in Wolverhampton with his wife, Soo-Young, and their two children. He is a respected member of the local community, serving on the Wolverhampton Council’s Ethnic Minority Liaison Committee. “Wolverhampton gave me a second chance,” Min-Jin said in a 2022 interview with BBC News. “It wasn’t easy, but the people here showed me that hard work and kindness can build a home.”