Jason Lim is a Washington, D.C.-based expert on innovation, leadership and organizational culture.
What about the expats?
By Jason Lim
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When the tension was near the breaking point last fall, with both President Trump and the official North Korean mouthpiece hurling insults and threats at each other on a regular basis, there were many handwringing reports of how a war ― or even a limited military engagement ― would cause untold havoc and loss of Korean lives in Seoul and surrounding areas. But what about the lives of foreign residents of Korea?
When the rapprochement happened during the Olympics, the North and South Korea summit happened, and the U.S.-North Korea summit was scheduled, then canceled and then rescheduled, there were lots of stories about Korean people's emotional swings between hope, despair and fear. But what about the hope, despair and fear of the foreign residents?
There are over 2 million foreigners living in Korea who represent 4 percent of the total population. It's expected that, by 2020, more than 3 million foreigners will call Korea home. The expat community is a permanent part of Korean society contributing every day to its diversity and richness. The majority of them are from China and the U.S., the two countries directly involved in the North Korean peace talks and whose citizens will be impacted by whatever happens in the negotiations.
Unfortunately, their voices are not often included in public policy debates that impact their lives. They are largely excluded, ignored and overlooked by the government and the media. This has been especially obvious when trying to deal with the fear, uncertainty and anxiety of not knowing whether and how the lives they built in Korea will be impacted by the resolution of the North Korean issue. I found the absence of their voices striking.
Some civic leaders have recognized the lack of representation. Venerable Pomnyun, a popular Buddhist monk in Korea best known for his freestyle Q&A talks with the public, will hold a special talk in English next week for members of the expat community who want to engage with him on the experiences, hopes and challenges they face in Korea as they pursue life, love, success, happiness and meaning in Korea, including the uncertainty and fear about what's happening with North Korea (full disclosure: I am volunteering as an interpreter for this talk).
Granted, there are numerous civic organizations catering to the needs of foreigners living in Korea, but most are either nationality-based or focused on specific professions. I am not aware of official channels of communication either at central or local government level that recognize the need to serve expats in Korea as fellow citizens and include them in key communications and policy decision-making that impacts their lives.
One visible exception is probably the Seoul Global Center, with the stated mission to provide “various services to enable the foreign citizens of Seoul to lead a hassle-free life.” The center's services include conflict resolution, mediation, education, cultural events and even startup incubation. “Our consultants are eagerly waiting to assist you and make sure your stay in Seoul is as comfortable as possible by solving any problems you may have, no matter the size. So please drop us a line, give us a call or come and visit our office and speak with one of us. You can also look out for our mobile counseling service which visits areas frequented by expats on a regular basis.” All in all, a pretty impressive start. But still limited to services.
The real point I am trying to make is that Korea seems to lack means to recognize and actualize foreigners' rightful equity in important public debates. Foreigners who have built their lives in Korea are shareholders in the continued wellbeing of Korea and have earned the right to representation of some type. It might not be full voting rights, but a well-designed and accessible mechanism to lend their voices as a distinct and equally important segment of the public that the government serves is necessary. In other words, create fair, inclusive and transparent ways that foreigner can engage in co-creating a future that works for all stakeholders.
Easier said than done, of course. The key barrier is undoubtedly a deep-rooted culture of discrimination in Korean society in which foreigners are tolerated and even celebrated (depending who you are and where you came from) but not accepted as integral members of the same society with equal ownership of a shared future.
Discussing South Korea in its World Report 2018, the Human Rights Watch wrote, “Discrimination against women, sexual minorities, racial and ethnic minorities, foreigners (especially refugees and migrant workers), and persons with HIV are all major human rights problems in South Korea… This discrimination is often unchallenged or is even encouraged by the government.”
“South Korean's democracy will remain incomplete until the government acts to end discrimination and revokes laws that violate basic rights,” reiterated Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
True. Incomplete by at least 4 percent that don't currently have a voice.
Jason Lim (jasonlim@msn.com) is a Washington, D.C.-based expert on innovation, leadership and organizational culture.