[Population Cliff]⑨ Expansion of Foreign Immigration Inevitable... "Gaining Public Trust Is Crucial"

Editor's Note'Total fertility rate of 0.75 in Q2, half of the population over 65 in 50 years, population of 21 million in 100 years.' This is the current status of South Korea, which is cited as the first country on Earth likely to disappear due to rapid low birth rates and aging. Experts point out that policy goals should focus less on simply raising the fertility rate and more on creating a child-rearing friendly environment with support for caregiving to reduce the burden on parents for childbirth and child-rearing. Since the decline in the working-age population is inevitable, it is time to seek a proactive policy shift in response to the population structure reversal. Opinions have been raised that we need to prepare for a transition to a multicultural society by differentiating minimum wages by age, increasing utilization of elderly labor through the introduction of a job-based wage system and extension of retirement age, and expanding acceptance of foreign immigrants to maintain population and secure labor force.

On June 28, foreign students are learning cheers at the International Summer University entrance ceremony and orientation held at Inchon Memorial Hall, Korea University, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

As South Korea's fertility rate falls to one of the lowest levels in the world, calls to increase acceptance of foreign immigrants are gaining momentum. Since it is becoming difficult for the country to operate properly with only native-born citizens, it is explained that a proactive review of the transition to a multicultural society is necessary to maintain population and secure labor. Experts advise raising public trust by informing the necessity of expanding immigration and improving the naturalization system.

The biggest problem South Korea faces with population decline is the decrease in the working-age population (ages 15-64), which is the economic engine. The proportion of the working-age population is expected to shrink to 46.1% of the total population by 2070, which could lead to reduced productivity and consumption, increased welfare spending for the elderly, and threaten the very existence of the nation. If there is no immediate solution to the low birth rate problem, realistically, efforts to activate foreign immigration are inevitable.

Advanced countries that faced low birth rates and aging earlier have already established inclusive immigration policies. For example, Germany actively accepted immigrants in the 2000s when population decline became serious, which laid the foundation for sustained economic growth thereafter. In contrast, as of last month, about 2.12 million foreigners were residing in South Korea, significantly down from 2.52 million in 2019 before the COVID-19 outbreak, causing labor shortages.

Immigration activation has the advantage of not only expanding simple labor forces in local and small-medium enterprises but also attracting excellent high-tech industry talent to the country. South Korea lacks PhD and master's level talent in key industries such as semiconductors and materials, but if it can accept high-level talent from India, Europe, and other regions, the revival of future growth industries is possible. Taiwan, which is also facing population decline, recently announced plans to attract 400,000 foreign talents in advanced industries.

Foreigners dressed in hanbok are moving around Gyeongbokgung Palace in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, South Korea has a strong perception of being a mono-ethnic nation and relatively weak willingness to interact with foreigners, so detailed policies that can gain public trust are required. Otherwise, discord such as immigrant hatred and crime proliferation could worsen.

There are also opinions that the naturalization system, which is difficult even for Koreans, needs improvement. Foreigners wishing to naturalize in South Korea must pass the comprehensive naturalization test (KINAT), but the difficulty of the test questions is uneven, and the application conditions are strict, making it notorious. Naturalized individuals recruited as outstanding talents are only a very small fraction of all naturalizations, leading to criticism of the system’s inadequacy. Therefore, many point out that to settle excellent naturalized individuals from abroad domestically, the system’s inclusiveness should be increased and standards reasonably adjusted..

Yoon In-jin, president of the Korean Migration Studies Association and professor of sociology at Korea University, said, "Efforts are needed to minimize the damage to disadvantaged groups and maximize the positive effects of immigration expansion," adding, "The general public often does not know how much immigrants contribute to our society, so communication on this aspect should be increased to create trusted policies."