Research Group for Revitalizing Residential Foreigner Communities Concludes Activities
Final Research Report Presents Policy Directions
Nayoung Hong, Sejong City Council Member. (Representative Council Member of the Research Group for Revitalizing Settled Foreign (Multicultural) Communities)
It has been a long time since international marriage became an established part of our society. In Sejong City, where population growth has stalled, there is a prevailing opinion that not only should policies be implemented to increase the population through international marriages, but also that harmony within the community, based on a sense of belonging among multicultural households, is necessary.
A research group that has been operating with the aim of fostering harmony so that foreigners residing in Sejong City can coexist within a sense of community held its final report meeting and concluded its activities on October 30.
On this day, the Research Group for Revitalizing Residential Foreigners (Multicultural) Communities in Sejong City Council, led by Representative Member Nayoung Hong, held its final research report meeting.
The research group, spearheaded by Sejong City Council Member Nayoung Hong, included members such as Council Members Hyunok Kim, Dongbin Kim, and Hakseo Kim; Mikyung Lee, Vice President of the Korea Immigration Society Experts Association; Sekyung Jeon, Professor at Gongju National University of Education; Miyong Ha, Director of Sejong City Family Center; Younggil Kim, Director at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology; as well as researchers from the Sejong Lifelong Education and Policy Research Institute and relevant public officials, totaling about 20 participants.
The final results of the basic research project, launched in April, for establishing and revitalizing policies for residential foreigners in Sejong City, were presented. Based on the research findings, attendees reviewed and summarized directions for supporting residential foreigners and institutional improvements tailored to local conditions.
Council Member Hyunok Kim said, "Although the period was short, I would like to thank the research group members and researchers for producing meaningful results. I hope that a natural foundation for exchange within the local community will be established, such as by activating multicultural programs at Sejong City festivals and events, to prevent the spread of social exclusion toward foreign workers and multicultural families."
Representative Member Nayoung Hong stated, "Given the reality of population stagnation and decline in Sejong City, it is difficult to pay close attention to multicultural policies. However, through this research project, we have confirmed that support policies for residential foreigners must be systematically implemented, not limited to one-off education or events, but also including education for children from multicultural families, language support, and improvement of dietary habits." She continued, "To achieve true social integration, we will strengthen the function of a control tower to coordinate projects by sector and strive to ensure that support measures for residential foreigners are practically reflected in relevant ordinances and policies."
She especially emphasized that, thanks to the active participation and cooperation of the research group members, concrete results could be produced, and that this marks a meaningful first step toward systematically establishing the direction of foreigner policies.
The research results are expected to be used for the first time as foundational data for Sejong City's foreigner policies and will serve as an important basis for setting future policy directions and establishing a systematic support system.
Meanwhile, since its launch in February, the research group has held a total of five meetings and one field visit. During its activities, it has sought practical policy measures unique to Sejong City for community integration and multicultural coexistence by analyzing the current status of residential foreigners in Sejong City, investigating best practices in other local governments, and gathering opinions from relevant experts and foreigners.
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