Ansan, Korea's most diverse city, to host global interculturalism forum

Artwork symbolizing interculturalism stands in the Multicultural Food Street in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, July 26, 2023 . Ansan, the most ethnically diverse city in Korea, will host an international event to promote interculturalism later this year. Korea Times file photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Ansan, the most ethnically diverse city in Korea, will host an international event to promote interculturalism ― a movement that supports cross-cultural interaction ― as officials embrace multicultural harmony as the city’s identity and brand.

The city government in Ansan, the first Korean city to join the list of the Council of Europe’s intercultural cities, announced last week that it will host the symposium from Sept. 17 to 19 to share its vision with and strengthen ties to other members, including Japan’s Hamamatsu and Australia’s Melton.

“This year marks the fifth anniversary of our membership and 20 years since the creation of the division dedicated to serving foreign residents,” its official told The Korea Times Monday. “As we celebrate it, we will invite representatives of other member cities to Ansan to share our thoughts on the development of our common vision and new policy ideas.”

According to the Council of Europe’s website, the intercultural city program was launched in 2008 to support cities in “reviewing and adapting their policies through an intercultural lens and developing comprehensive intercultural strategies to manage diversity as an advantage for the whole society.”

After Ansan joined the list, two other Korean members ― Asan, a city in South Chungcheong Province and the Seoul district of Guro ― have followed suit. Others have expressed their intention to join.

A sign advertising a Vietnamese restaurant stands in the Multicultural Food Street in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, July 26, 2023. Korea Times file photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Over the past 20 years, Ansan has grown more diverse, with migrants coming from all over the world. Today, the city boasts the highest proportion of foreign residents in the country. More than 100,000 of its 672,000 residents, or approximately 14 percent, are foreign-born. The proportion is expected to continue to increase and double by 2042, with the decreasing number of Korean-born natives, according to the city official.

According to data from the state-operated Statistics Korea, the number of migrants is projected reach 4.04 million by then, while the country’s total population is estimated to drop to 49.6 million from the current 51.6 million.

As one of the first Korean cities going through such a demographic change, Ansan seeks to set a good example, the official said.

“Given that the demographic change is inevitable, we’d like to make a good model to follow by showing the positives of cultural diversity,” the official added.

Lee Eok-bae, chief director at the Ansan city government’s division for foreign residents, speaks at a press briefing in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province. April 16. Courtesy of Ansan city government

To promote diversity and interculturalism, the city government is planning several long-term projects. One of them is to establish a multipurpose community center dedicated to serving foreign residents in Sangnok District. It is set to open to the public in September 2027.

As part of the efforts to develop Ansan’s unique brand, officials have also been collaborating with design experts in refurbishing its infrastructure facilities, under a project funded by the Ministry of Interior and Safety over the last two years. By the end of 2025, artwork will be installed in some areas to demonstrate the city’s distinctive colors and characteristics.

The city’s diverse population is also changing the way its residents are governed.

According to officials, the city government has an advisory group composed of 13 members, including naturalized citizens and permanent residents with different migrant backgrounds, to reflect their views on introducing and changing its policies. Separately, it has a monitoring group of 30 foreign residents from 11 countries who advise policymakers on their needs.

To ensure the lasting impact of these changes and guide future policies, the city council recently passed an ordinance aimed at promoting social integration. The measure encourages both citizens and noncitizens to respect one another's diverse cultures and traditions — marking the first initiative of its kind among local councils in Korea.

To mark “Together Day" on May 17, a government-designated day to celebrate diversity and social integration, the city government also plans to hold various events at the performance hall inside the city’s Hwarang Amusement Park.

“As an intercultural city where diverse cultures live in harmony, Ansan is focused on creating an environment where all residents can grow together,” said Lee Eok-bae, chief director of the city government’s division for foreign residents. “We will continue to enhance the status of Ansan as an international city by supporting the lives of foreign residents and shoring up the foundation for cultural exchange.”