Korea needs new immigration policy

By Kim Won-sook

In the 21st century, Korea seems to be standing at a historical juncture to become a true multicultural society. This society will aim to contribute to world peace and antipoverty efforts, and create a domestic environment for people with different ethnicities to live in harmony here.

What’s behind the idea is Korea's close friendship with other countries since it has a history of realizing economic development and democratization after undergoing Japanese colonialism, war and division rather than inflicting pain on other nations through brutal invasions.

Korea currently has about 1.4 million foreigners with high hopes, dreams and a desire to live harmoniously with the citizens of Korea.

Immigration policy is to grant temporary or permanent social status to foreign nationals desiring to immigrate to the Republic of Korea, or to deal with matters on necessary infrastructure for their living in Korea from the political, economic, social and cultural perspectives.

Because it affects the all of society as well as individual citizens, philosophical and academic in-depth research is needed in advance of policymaking and its implementation.

Here is a brief explanation of the history of Korean immigration policy from its liberation on Aug. 15, 1945 to the current administration.

First, since immigration control was regarded as a matter of life for citizens, the basic direction for immigration control policy should be to strike a balance between regulating and welcoming foreign visitors.

The policy for foreign workers is designed to invite outstanding talent and restrict the inflow of unskilled workers. Such an approach still remains even in the current Lee Myung-bak administration despite many of the problems eased under the Employment Permit System for foreigners introduced in the previous Roh Moo-hyun administration.

Second, since 1993, human rights for foreigners have become a hot issue, particularly on the treatment of industrial trainees. The Kim Young-sam administration took various measures for trainees and the Kim Dae-jung administration strived to prevent human rights abuses and discrimination against foreigners by launching the National Human Rights Commission.

Only after 2004 when the Roh administration introduced the Employment Permit System, the controversy ended over the mismatch between the legal and real status of industrial trainees. As the number of marriage migrants in Korea started to dramatically increase in the 2000s, human rights issues also surfaced.

Third, the Roh administration marked a watershed in the history of immigration policy. The policy under the Roh administration shifted its focus from regulation and control to social integration to ensure better treatment and human rights protection for foreigners.

The Roh administration also revamped the nation’s immigration policy. As a result, it has seen a quantitative change where it functions and serves as a tool to integrate multiple cultures and values into Korean society.

Lastly, the social integration policy in Korea takes an open-door multicultural approach in order to enable Korean citizens and foreigners to live in harmony by embracing different cultures and taking a foreigner-friendly attitude.

Therefore, when it comes to social integration in a multicultural society, it will be desirable to flexibly undertake a social integration policy not just applying Western multiculturalism or an assimilation policy to Korean society.

The immigration policy is a big issue in Korean society. Many are flowing into Korea in search of happiness and opportunity. Immigration will help the nation sustain its economic growth and prosperity. It will also make our society more dynamic. Immigration is no longer an option but a must to promote major national interests in the 21st century.

It is necessary to come up with a new immigration policy and system that meets the new demand for the new era to maximize advantages and reduce the burdens from immigration.

Kim Won-sook, chief of Gwangju Immigration Office under the Ministry of Justice. Reach him at kimws101@korea.kr.