By Josh Broward

Traditionally homogeneous, Korea is now rapidly plunging into multiculturalism. Korea's 1.1 million resident foreigners total 2 percent of the population, but everyone agrees that Korea is bound to get more immigrants.

Conservative estimates are that foreigners will make up 5 percent of the Korean population by 2020, 8 percent by 2030, and 10 percent by 2050.

This diversification of Korea is fueled by several trends:

― Korea's population is aging, and Korea's birthrate is declining. Simply stated, Korea needs to ``import" workers.

― Korea's improving education and economy pushes more Korean workers away from manual labor jobs, which are increasingly open to immigrants.

― Globalization is bringing in more educators and business people.

― Korea is becoming an educational hot-spot for Asia, with universities actively recruiting international students.

― One in seven marriages in Korea is multicultural. In some rural provinces, that ratio is as high as one in three.

These trends are likely to increase in pace and magnitude. Korea may diversify even faster than the experts are predicting. My unprofessional guess is that the multiethnic and foreign population here will reach 5-10 percent by 2020, 15-20 percent by 2030, and 20-25 percent by 2050.

Historically, every nation that has experienced mass immigration has also experienced a variety of racial conflicts, sometimes exploding into mass riots. The U.S., France and Australia have experienced intense tensions relating to immigration within the past few years.

Korea is not immune to ethnic conflicts. The National Assembly is debating its first ever ``antiracism'' bill. This legislation has drawn wide ranging discussion and protests. Some fear the competition for manual labor jobs that follows mass immigration. Others fear the ``dilution'' of Korea's homogeneity.

Conflict over interracial couples recently surged through the news. With increasing immigration, multicultural coupling is bound to increase.

Some people are calling Korea's changing demographics a ``time bomb.'' Some cultural analysts expect a variety of explosive conflicts centered on themes of ethnicity and cultural change.

Think about the huge protests about mad cow disease involving U.S. beef imports and the takeover of the Ssangyong auto-plant by laid-off autoworkers. Now imagine what will happen if huge numbers of Korean workers lose their jobs because Korean companies pay half as much to workers from Southeast Asia.

As these trends converge, a mighty river of cultural change is at Korea's doorstep. In many ways, Korea has already passed the tipping point on diversification. Korea's demographics demand diversification. Korea will become multicultural. That is unstoppable.

How Korea will proceed into this diversification is still very much undecided. The only remaining question is: What kind of multicultural society will Korea become?

Will Korea embrace diversity and globalization as a cultural and economic boon? Or will Korea take a defensive and fear-based approach, leaning back into isolationism?

Diversification is unavoidable. Korea and Koreans must choose between diversifying well (wisely with intentional strategies) and diversifying poorly (accidentally or haphazardly).

Let me propose a few simple steps to guide Korea well in this new adventure of multiculturalism.

First, give special attention to the institutions of Korea that are already the most diverse: universities, factories and multicultural churches. These three institutions are early indicators of Korea's future. The conflicts, tensions and successes of these institutions are likely to be mirrored in the larger society as diversity gains momentum.

Second, take steps now to protect the weak. In cultures around the world, minorities experience discrimination, prejudice and injustice. Korea's long-standing homogeneity makes it especially susceptible to these problems. Korea needs to implement public education campaigns and laws to protect minorities.

Third, individual Koreans can be cultural trend setters. When you see discrimination or cultural insensitivity, speak out. Kindly educate your peers on the worth of all people and how they can interact more effectively with people of different cultural backgrounds.

Finally, individuals and families can show hospitality to immigrants. Simple acts (like sharing a meal together or offering assistance in the grocery store) will help us all ease the shift into multiculturalism.

In his international bestselling book, ``The Tipping Point,'' Malcom Gladwell examines how small changes cause major cultural shifts.

Gladwell explains, ``What happened is that [a] small number of people … started behaving very differently, and that behavior somehow spread … Little changes had big effects … changes that happened at the margin.''

You ― average readers ― may not feel like you have the potential to effect much change. Do not be deceived. You have great power! You can be part of Korea's tipping point toward a healthy multicultural society. Little changes … little discussions … small acts of hospitality … could tip Korea into healthy and beautiful multiculturalism.

Josh Broward has lived in Korea for five years. He is the lead pastor of KNU International English Church on the campus of Korea Nazarene University in Cheonan. He can be reached at jjbroward@gmail.com.