[New Korean Dream①] "I Will Become Korean"... Foreigners Are Flocking In

About 2 Million Foreign Residents in Korea, 4% of Total
"Integrated Immigration Policy Needed for Sustainable Growth"
Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon "Considering Establishment of Immigration Agency"
"Opening Doors to Foreigners Can Solve Social Issues"

A foreigner carrying a suitcase is passing through Itaewon Street in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, an area densely populated by foreigners. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Jonathan Tona Yombi (22), who appears on various TV channels these days, is a 'refugee.' He came to South Korea from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His father, Yombi Tonassi, entered South Korea in 2002 and was recognized as a refugee by the court in 2008. Since then, Jonathan has settled and lived in Incheon, Gwangju, and other domestic locations from the age of nine. He is talented in speaking French, English, and Korean fluently. In 2019, he was admitted to the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. In January of this year, he decided to naturalize as a Korean citizen and is currently undergoing the naturalization process. Fabian Yves Jerome Corbino (34), an actor and model from France, is also a permanent resident of Korea. He has already settled in Seoul for 15 years. Recently, he became a hot topic on broadcasts for shopping for the Korean national soccer team uniform online, going to the bank to submit his permanent residency card, and opening a housing subscription savings account.

Like Jonathan and Fabian, the number of foreigners residing in South Korea for various reasons now exceeds 2 million. According to the 'Immigration and Foreign Policy Statistical Monthly Report' by the Ministry of Justice's Immigration and Foreign Policy Headquarters, the number of foreigners residing in South Korea (including long- and short-term residents) first exceeded 2 million in 2016 (2,049,441), marking the beginning of the '2 million foreigner era.' The number remained in the 2 million range until 2020 but slightly decreased to 1,956,781 in 2021. As of last April, it was counted at 1,987,250, still close to 2 million. This accounts for about 4% of the total domestic population of 51,638,809. Considering that the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) classifies countries with more than 5% of the total population as multicultural and multiethnic, South Korea is not far from that status. By country, China (831,805) has the largest number, followed by Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam (206,518) and Thailand (171,962).

They all dream of a new Korean Dream. While the previous Korean Dream involved staying for missionary work, business, or labor, the new Korean Dream is about realizing one's own dreams in Korea, including both long- and short-term stays, and succeeding as a Korean. Kim Tae-hwan, Honorary President of the Korean Immigration Policy Association (Professor of Law and Public Administration at Myongji University), said, "As we have joined the ranks of G12 advanced countries and the Korean Wave is spreading, our national prestige and status have risen, making Korea a country where Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees want to come with the 'New Korean Dream.' How well we accept and coexist with them will determine sustainable growth. For this, an integrated immigration policy is now necessary." 'New Korean Dream'

Reflecting the elevated national prestige, population decline, and increasing demand for foreign labor, the government's immigration policy is also changing. Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon said in his inaugural speech, "Let's establish a system to promote immigration policy at a high level, including considering the establishment of an Immigration Office." The establishment of an Immigration Office has been discussed for the past 16 years but has never been realized. The late President Roh Moo-hyun emphasized the need for continuous management of immigration policy during a national agenda meeting while in office, and later, a 'comprehensive immigration policy promotion organization' was proposed at a Ministry of Justice seminar, but it did not lead to establishment. Immigration policies have also been divided among government ministries, failing to set a proper direction and causing discord. For example, policies for multicultural families and foreign workers have been individually implemented by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, respectively, but an integrated immigration policy encompassing all is still nonexistent. Experts believe that if the Immigration Office is established, it could serve as a 'control tower' to coordinate policies effectively.

Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is taking a commemorative photo with awardees at the 'World Citizens Day Ceremony' held at the Government Gwacheon Complex.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General, stated at the 'National Strategy Seminar on Low Birthrate and Aging Response in Korea' held on April 26, "Our country has reached a national crisis due to low birthrate and aging," and suggested, "We need to open the doors wider to foreign immigration and develop into a global society. Korean society needs to be inclusive toward foreigners residing in Korea." Honorary President Kim Tae-hwan also said, "With the impact of low birthrate and aging, rural areas are greatly concerned not just about 'population extinction' but 'population annihilation.' In rural areas, there is not enough labor to even harvest crops," adding, "Opening legal doors for migrant workers and overseas Koreans to settle well in Korea would be a good alternative." The Immigration and Immigration Lawyers Association emphasized, "If immigration policies prioritize ethnic Korean bloodlines, the future existence of our country is uncertain," and stated, "President Yoon Suk-yeol mentioned 'global citizens' several times in his inaugural speech. Policies should move away from ethnic 'Korean nationals' toward implementing policies for a multiethnic and multiracial society."