Laying the Foundation for Region-Led Immigration Policy
Sharing Case Studies of Metropolitan Visa Programs
Busan Research Institute (President Shin Hyunseok) participated in the '2025 Immigration Policy Forum' and the 'Regional Immigration Policy Research Network MOU Signing Ceremony' held at the Seoul Southern Immigration Office (Magok) on July 18. The institute contributed to the establishment of region-based immigration policies and the development of cooperative frameworks.
Officials attending the 2025 Immigration Policy Forum are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Busan Research Institute
This event was co-hosted by the Ministry of Justice, the Immigration Policy Institute, and the Regional Immigration Policy Research Network. Representatives from 31 regional research institutions across the country attended, discussing various case studies and policy directions under the theme of 'Exploring Sustainable Regional Immigration Policy.'
The forum featured sessions focused on three major visa policies: the Seasonal Worker Program, the Regional Specialized Visa Program, and the Metropolitan Visa Program. These sessions included comparative analyses of the formation of areas with high concentrations of Koryoin compatriots and the corresponding regional immigration policies.
From Busan Research Institute, Research Fellow Lee Yoba gave a presentation introducing the case of Busan's metropolitan visa project, highlighting key issues of the system and suggesting future areas for improvement. Senior Research Fellow Lee Jeongseok participated as an operating committee member, actively sharing opinions on program planning and strategies to vitalize the research network.
Prior to the forum, the MOU signing ceremony brought together regional research institutions under 17 metropolitan local governments nationwide to sign a joint agreement, pledging to strengthen cooperation in future joint research and policy projects. Under this agreement, the Immigration Policy Institute will serve as the operating committee chair, leading the Regional Immigration Policy Research Network, accumulating research outcomes of specialized regional policies, and serving as a platform to disseminate these results nationwide.
Shin Hyunseok, President of Busan Research Institute, stated, "In order to respond to the rapidly changing demographic structure, region-led immigration policy is no longer a choice but a necessity," adding, "Busan Research Institute will also actively participate in planning and researching immigration policies that suit the characteristics and needs of Busan."
This forum and MOU signing are regarded as a starting point for establishing effective immigration policies through inter-regional cooperation and central-local collaboration, as well as a symbolic cooperation model to strengthen policy connectivity.
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