Korea’s rising multicultural youth population offers glimpse of more inclusive future

Jung Goo-chang, vice minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

Good afternoon, everyone. I am Jung Goo-chang, vice minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

I extend my sincere congratulations to The Korea Times on the hosting of the 14th Global Korea Awards.

First, I would like to express my gratitude to President Oh Young-jin of The Korea Times and all members of the organization for your hard work in preparing this meaningful event.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to Vice Mayor 1 of Seoul Metropolitan Government Kim Tae-kyoon, as well as to the ambassadors and distinguished guests from Korea and abroad, for honoring this event with your presence despite your busy schedules.

The Global Korea Awards seek to nurture young people from multicultural backgrounds as global talent and contribute to creating a more inclusive, healthy and vibrant multicultural society.

Since 2012, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has supported the awards and presented a ministerial commendation.

I would like to congratulate all of today’s award recipients, including Selma Naciri, who is receiving the grand prize. I will continue to support you as you grow and become admirable adults who can serve as role models for others.

As the government ministry responsible for multicultural family policy, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has been providing comprehensive support via 244 family and multicultural family support centers nationwide.

These centers assist marriage immigrants throughout every stage of their lives in Korea — from adapting to daily life to achieving independence.

We are also strengthening tailored, stage-by-stage support to ensure that children and adolescents from diverse immigrant backgrounds can grow up healthy and without discrimination. This includes assistance for basic learning, career planning and educational activity expenses.

Going forward, we will continue expanding our policies so that all immigrant families who come to Korea from diverse backgrounds can face fewer difficulties and live happy lives here.

I kindly ask all of you here today to take continued interest in the ministry’s policies and to join us in supporting a bright future for our youth.

Once again, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to all the award recipients. I also wish everyone here a warm and joyful end to the year.

Thank you.