A Korean lexicon (also spelled, kyopo) used to define a native Korean who permanently resides in another
country or land other than one of the
two Koreas. However, if a gyopo returns to Korea, this one will lose his/her gyopo "status."
There are several variations to the lexicon gyopo. For example, by adding the prefix "jemi" indicates that this gyopo resides in the United States. By adding the prefix "jeil" indicates that this gyopo resides in Japan.
Korean-Americans (Koreans born in
the U.S.) or any other Korean born in another
country or land other than one of the
two Koreas, are commonly termed as gyopos. This is incorrect, as gyopos are native Koreans who have left their homeland.