Oh Se-hoon "Foreign Policy Paradigm Must Change... Inclusive Visa System Needed"

Seoul City and Usangbeom Foreign Policy Innovation Forum
"Flexible Approach to Local Government Autonomy and Care Sector"

On June 30, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated, "Now is a crucial time to shift the paradigm of foreigner policies to secure future competitiveness." He particularly emphasized that "it is necessary to expand local governments' autonomy through cooperation with the central government and other local governments and to improve inclusive visa systems tailored to regional circumstances."

Mayor Oh made these remarks at 3 p.m. on the same day during the 'Foreign Policy Innovation Forum for Enhancing National and Urban Competitiveness in a Multicultural Society,' co-hosted by Seoul City and National Assembly member Yoo Sang-beom (Ranking Member of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee) at the Seoul City Hall Grand Conference Room.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This forum was organized to seek practical measures for attracting and utilizing foreigners by reflecting voices from the field, in preparation for the transition to a multicultural society amid accelerating demographic changes caused by low birth rates and aging, and to enhance national and urban competitiveness.

The event began with a keynote presentation titled "Global Strategies for Enhancing National and Urban Competitiveness" by Moon Hwi-chang, President of Seoul National University of Science and Technology. President Moon emphasized that the source of competitiveness for nations and cities has shifted from free trade and investment to "talent." He further stressed the need to establish regional clusters like Silicon Valley in the U.S. to secure global competitiveness, where talents and technologies from various fields can converge to foster innovation.

In Session 1, under the theme "Global Talent Attraction Strategies for Securing Future Urban Competitiveness," Professor Kim Hyun-jung from Dong-A University Graduate School of International Studies delivered a presentation followed by expert discussions. Session 2 focused on "Institutional Innovation and Policy Improvement for Utilizing Global Talent." Jeon Ji-hoon, Senior Research Fellow at the Policy Research Center of the Korea Association of Governors, diagnosed the current foreign employment system and proposed measures for attracting skilled workers and utilizing settled personnel through cases from Germany and Japan, under the theme "Directions for Systems and Policies for Foreign Employment and Inflow."

Mayor Oh also stressed the paradigm shift in foreigner policies. He expressed gratitude for the Ministry of Justice's establishment of the "Top Tier Visa" and requested a more realistic and flexible approach in the care sector, including caregivers, elderly care, and nursing assistants. Earlier, on June 27, Mayor Oh welcomed the government's announcement of new immigration and entry policies such as the "Top Tier Visa," emphasizing the need for a progressive approach in the care sector. He expressed concern, stating, "The total fertility rate is in the 0.7 range, and by next year, the proportion of the population aged 65 and over will exceed 20%, entering a super-aged society." He predicted, "The manpower crisis that will occur in areas such as caregivers, elderly care, and nursing assistants is an already determined future."