[Industrial Complex Welcoming Foreigners]② The Complex Cultural Center Becomes a 'Hot Place' After Work... Daebul Industrial Complex Is Changing

Visit to Daebul National Industrial Complex in Jeonnam
Active Efforts for Coexistence Through Korean Language Education and Soccer League
Treating Them as Neighbors in Society, Not Just Workers

Editor's NoteAs the population structure and industrial conditions rapidly change, the importance of foreign workers is growing increasingly, yet various issues surrounding foreign workers are emerging in industrial sites. There is particular concern on-site about conflicts and accidents that may arise due to foreign workers' language skills and lack of cultural understanding. Nevertheless, foreign workers have established themselves as beings we must embrace and coexist with. Asia Economy highlights the scenes and voices from workplaces where foreign workers belong and presents cases of finding breakthroughs despite harsh conditions in a total of three installments.

①Foreign Workers Growing More Important, Yet ‘Communication Barriers’ Remain High

②The Complex Cultural Center That Became a 'Hot Place' After Work... Daebul Industrial Complex Is Changing

③"Coexistence Is Destiny... Must Approach It Long-Term"

Foreign workers are attending a Korean language class at the Complex Cultural Center in Daebul National Industrial Complex, Samho-eup, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do. Photo by Lee Seo-hee

"Thin Den, please read from the left."

On the late afternoon of the 20th, past quitting time, as the black darkness settled, bright lights turned on in a building at the Daebul Industrial Complex in Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do. In response to a Korean instructor's question, a Thai student read aloud with a serious expression, saying "tree," "shoe." On the notebook on the desk, Korean greetings such as 'Annyeonghaseyo' and 'Gamsahamnida' were written in a crooked handwriting.

This place is the Daebul National Industrial Complex, which takes about 40 minutes more by car from Mokpo Station, Jeollanam-do. When the factory lights go off at 6 p.m., foreign workers gradually gather at this complex cultural center to attend Korean language classes. The classroom, which was sparsely occupied, becomes packed with students by 7 p.m., the class start time.

Foreign workers attending Korean language classes held at the Daebul National Industrial Complex Multipurpose Cultural Center participating in a presentation. Photo by Lee Seohee

The Daebul Complex Cultural Center began operating Korean language classes in 2022. This was after foreign workers exceeded half of the total workforce, and communication problems emerged as an issue across industrial sites. Kim Tak, the head of Daebul Complex Cultural Center, and No Geumrye, a Korean language instructor, ambitiously started the Korean classes, but initially, the number of students was so low that the classes were at risk of cancellation. Gathering foreign workers from different countries and cultures in one place after work to teach them was not easy.

Director Kim focused on making them feel a sense of community within the industrial complex as 'neighbors,' not just simple workers. He shared homemade gimbap with workers before class and formed a soccer league led by foreign workers. They also started a laundry service for work clothes and a free bicycle rental service for commuting.

As the cultural center transformed from a simple educational space into a place for communication and fellowship, the once quiet classroom began to bustle. The class, which started with about 30 students, now has 110 students across three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Students are so passionate about learning that they have requested to increase the once-a-week class to twice a week. Director Kim said, "Our mindset has changed from simply helping foreign workers live comfortably in Korea to helping them fully integrate as neighbors and members of society in the long term." He added, "In the second half of this year, we plan to expand classes focusing on practical terms used in work sites such as welding and painting."

Kim Tak, Director of Daebul Complex Cultural Center, is holding a meeting to organize soccer league teams with foreign workers. Photo by Seohee Lee

Key Workforce in Industrial Sites... Active Efforts for Coexistence

The Daebul National Industrial Complex, located in Nabulli, Nanjeon-ri, and Yongang-ri in Samho-eup, Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do, was established in the 1980s with the goal of building a forward base for balanced national development and entry into the Chinese and Southeast Asian markets. Currently, 390 companies are located there, and as of September last year, it recorded a production value of 1.7434 trillion KRW and exports of 1.16 million USD, accounting for more than 40% of the production in the southwestern industrial complexes, making it a key base.

The production is undoubtedly carried by 'foreign workers.' According to the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, there are 6,582 workers employed in the Daebul Industrial Complex, half of whom are foreign workers. Including undocumented workers not counted in statistics, the actual number is estimated to be much higher. A representative from the Industrial Complex Corporation said, "Due to aging and the mass departure of domestic workers, foreign workers are quickly filling the gaps. Including undocumented workers not reflected in statistics, foreign workers now make up more than half and are indispensable core personnel in industrial sites."

A fitness management room for foreign workers has been established at the Jeonnam Western Workers' Health Center located in the Daebul National Industrial Complex, Samho-eup, Yeongam-gun, Jeonnam. Photo by Lee Seohee

Because of this situation, various efforts to coexist with foreign workers are underway at the Daebul National Industrial Complex. A representative example is the 'free tuberculosis screening' program for foreign workers. Foreign workers living in cramped one-room accommodations with about ten people are much more vulnerable to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, chickenpox, and measles than domestic workers. Accordingly, the Jeonnam Western Workers' Health Center signed a business agreement with the Korean Tuberculosis Association in 2022 and visits workplaces annually to conduct tuberculosis screenings for about 200 foreign workers on average per year. If abnormal findings are detected, they are linked to hospitals for further treatment support.

The center houses medical professionals such as specialists, industrial nurses, and physical therapists who conduct various disease prevention tests. Considering the industrial complex's characteristics with a high proportion of manufacturing, where exposure to harmful chemicals is common, the focus is on tests for cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases like arteriosclerosis and musculoskeletal disorders. One side of the center is equipped with a fitness management room where workers are taught appropriate exercise methods and can relax muscles using massage balls, as well as a psychological counseling room for treating aftereffects in case of serious accidents.

Park Ji-young, secretary-general of the Jeonnam Western Workers' Health Center, said, "When I meet foreign workers at the workplace or the center, I remember those who are happy just to be outside the workplace for a moment or express gratitude even for simple checkups." She added, "This year, we aim to meet about 400 foreign workers at tuberculosis screening sites, more than last year."

Blind Spots Remain Due to Undocumented Workers and Uncooperative Employers

Nevertheless, blind spots such as undocumented workers remain. Although various social safety nets have been established to protect the safety and health of foreign workers, undocumented workers who want to hide their identity refuse government benefits and go into hiding themselves.

Uncooperative attitudes from employers are also cited as a problem. To participate in programs such as tuberculosis screening and psychological counseling conducted by the Workers' Health Center, workers need to spend about 1 to 2 hours during working hours, but many employers hesitate to allow this due to labor shortages, resulting in many workers unable to participate. The Workers' Health Center sends official letters to workplaces before screenings to request active cooperation from employers, but participation rates remain low.

Secretary-General Park said, "The center considers undocumented workers as a vulnerable group and supports them, but since they hide their identity and do not come forward, support is difficult." She appealed, "Free screenings are voluntary, not mandatory, so even if we visit workplaces directly, many workers cannot participate because they cannot spare the time."