Immigrant communities urge presidential candidates to adopt more inclusive policies

Pamphlets on migrant children are displayed at Anjunamu Center in Danwon District, Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, in this Dec. 19, 2023 photo. Korea Times file

An alliance of immigrants and civic groups is calling on presidential candidates of all parties to adopt policies to better protect the rights and inclusion of immigrant communities.

The national multicultural voters’ alliance unveiled 10 key policy proposals ahead of the June 3 presidential election, as it seeks greater political recognition for Korea’s increasingly diverse population.

The alliance, comprised of 20 groups, including the Seoul YMCA and the Korean Immigrant Women’s Voter Network, said the election is a critical opportunity to empower multicultural voters.

With over 500,000 voters believed to be from immigrant or multicultural backgrounds, the alliance emphasized that this demographic could become a meaningful force in Korean democracy.

“We may look different, but we stand united,” the alliance said in a joint statement. “This election must mark a shift in how multicultural citizens are seen, not just as recipients of support services, but as active participants in shaping public policy.”

The 10 proposals address a wide range of issues. Among them is a call for legal protections for undocumented migrant children, who are often excluded from basic services such as schooling and medical care. The alliance advocates legislation that would grant every child, even ones whose parents are undocumented migrants, the right to education, health care and legal status.

Another key proposal involves revising the Multicultural Family Support Act to better serve immigrant women, especially marriage migrants. The alliance wants the definition of multicultural families broadened to include all foreign residents and seeks stronger measures for employment training, residency protection and anti-discrimination policies.

Additional proposals focus on expanding education on cultural diversity, improving labor protections for foreign workers, cracking down on illegal marriage brokers and ensuring multicultural considerations are embedded in all government policymaking. The alliance also seeks mandatory hiring quotas in public institutions for individuals from multicultural backgrounds, more interpretation services in hospitals, cultural training in national certification exams and the establishment of a centralized agency to coordinate immigrant affairs.

Each recommendation reflects pressing issues raised by immigrant and multicultural communities, touching on health care, employment, education and civil rights. The alliance emphasized that these suggestions emerged from years of grassroots experiences.

“Election promises often vanish after votes are counted,” one alliance organizer said. “We aim to hold leaders accountable and make sure multicultural voices are not sidelined again.”

Alliance representatives plan to deliver the proposals to major candidates’ campaign offices. They also plan to stage events on the campaign trail, during which immigrant voters will present placards listing their demands directly to candidates, and monitor candidates' responses.

While Korea has made strides in acknowledging its demographic changes, the alliance argues that many institutional gaps remain. It contends that inclusive governance is both a human rights issue and a strategic national priority.

“We envision a Korea where cultural diversity is embraced as a national strength, not treated as a challenge,” the statement added. “The next administration must show leadership by turning this vision into policy.”

The group plans to continue advocacy beyond election day, through follow-up campaigns and a monitoring committee that will track how well the next administration fulfills these commitments.

As of 2024, the number of foreign nationals residing in Korea surpassed 2.65 million, according to the Ministry of Justice. This figure includes both long-term registered residents and short-term visitors. This represents over 5 percent of the total population of Korea.