Discussing Regionally Tailored Multicultural Strategies for a "Sustainable Coexistence Model"
The forum titled "Nam-gu Regional Specialized Multicultural Policy and the Role of Universities: Seeking a Sustainable Coexistence Model," jointly hosted by the TU Multicultural Center at Dongmyung University and the Family-Friendly Division of Nam-gu, Busan, was held at the main building of Dongmyung University on December 6, 2025.
Dongmyung University is holding a multicultural policy forum with Nam-gu, Busan, and taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Dongmyung University
The event was organized as part of the RISE (Regional Innovation-Centered University Support System) initiative and saw robust participation from academia, local government, and policy practitioners.
Nam-gu has the largest foreign resident population (7,895 as of August 2025) among Busan's 16 districts. The forum was held to commemorate the opening of the TU Multicultural Center in September and to specify the direction of regionally tailored multicultural policies. It was also recognized as a proactive presentation of a collaborative model between universities and local governments.
Key figures, including National Assemblyman Park Sooyoung, Nam-gu Mayor Oh Euntaek, and Nam-gu Council Chairperson Seo Seongbu, attended the opening ceremony, demonstrating the high level of interest at the event.
Busan Mayor Park Hyungjun also sent a congratulatory message, emphasizing the significance by stating, "The TU Multicultural Center and this forum will serve as an important foundation for Busan to become a global hub city."
Tae Dongsook, Dean of the College of Future Convergence at Dongmyung University, stated, "The TU Multicultural Center is the result of collaboration between the university's expertise and the administrative capabilities of the local government," adding, "We will further solidify our role as a focal point for community integration." Nam-gu Mayor Oh Euntaek highlighted, "Nam-gu's multicultural indicators underscore the importance of policy implementation," and stressed, "We will provide practical support for the policies discussed at the forum."
The forum consisted of three sessions. In Session 1, Assemblyman Kim Cheolhyun of Nam-gu presented on "Immigrant Inclusion Policy," and attorney Ahn Youngjoo discussed "Cases of Multicultural Family Dissolution and Support Regulations," diagnosing the policy needs on the ground. In Session 2, Professor Kwon Yeongeun proposed a "University-Local Government Collaboration Model." Students, interpreters, and international students also participated directly, sharing their visions and experiences as multicultural professionals, enhancing the forum's practical relevance and representativeness.
Kim Sangsoo, Chair of the Department of Korean Language Education and Multicultural Studies at Dongmyung University, who organized the forum, stated, "This forum served as a practical platform for designing Nam-gu's specialized multicultural policies," and emphasized, "The 'sustainable coexistence model' discussed will be officially provided as policy recommendations to Nam-gu District Office and related organizations to drive change in the local community."
The TU Multicultural Center plans to further strengthen its role as a multicultural hub in the region by expanding various programs, including educational advancement for marriage immigrants, support for self-reliance, and parental education for multicultural families.
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