By Kim Bo-eun
Koreans still lag behind in openness toward racial diversity, according to a recent survey.
The survey conducted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in 2015 showed that Korean adults have become slightly more open to biracial children and foreign residents here including migrant workers and foreign brides, compared to four years ago when it conducted a similar poll.
However, Korea still lagged behind in terms of levels of receptiveness when compared with other developed countries.
Some 60 percent of Koreans said that Korean nationals should be prioritized over foreigners for jobs when the job market is tough, while 50.5 percent of Americans, 41.5 percent of German and 14.5 percent of Swedish said so in a similar global index titled World Values Survey.
More than 31 percent of Korean adults also said they did not want immigrants as neighbors, while 13.7 percent of Americans, 21.5 percent of Germans and 3.5 percent of Swedish answered the same.
In the ministry's survey, senior citizens and housewives were the least receptive to racial diversity. The younger the respondents were, the more willing they were to accept diversity. Those with immigrants and foreigners in their vicinity as relatives, friends or co-workers were more open.
People who have participated in events or classes promoting racial diversity or who have participated in activities with foreign residents tended to be more open-minded. However, few have taken part in such activities, the ministry said.
The survey was conducted on 4,000 adults and 3,640 secondary school students. Previously, two surveys on racial diversity were conducted ― one for adults in 2011 and another for teenagers in 2012.
Koreans still lag behind in openness toward racial diversity, according to a recent survey.
The survey conducted by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in 2015 showed that Korean adults have become slightly more open to biracial children and foreign residents here including migrant workers and foreign brides, compared to four years ago when it conducted a similar poll.
However, Korea still lagged behind in terms of levels of receptiveness when compared with other developed countries.
Some 60 percent of Koreans said that Korean nationals should be prioritized over foreigners for jobs when the job market is tough, while 50.5 percent of Americans, 41.5 percent of German and 14.5 percent of Swedish said so in a similar global index titled World Values Survey.
More than 31 percent of Korean adults also said they did not want immigrants as neighbors, while 13.7 percent of Americans, 21.5 percent of Germans and 3.5 percent of Swedish answered the same.
In the ministry's survey, senior citizens and housewives were the least receptive to racial diversity. The younger the respondents were, the more willing they were to accept diversity. Those with immigrants and foreigners in their vicinity as relatives, friends or co-workers were more open.
People who have participated in events or classes promoting racial diversity or who have participated in activities with foreign residents tended to be more open-minded. However, few have taken part in such activities, the ministry said.
The survey was conducted on 4,000 adults and 3,640 secondary school students. Previously, two surveys on racial diversity were conducted ― one for adults in 2011 and another for teenagers in 2012.
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