Immigration Policies Largely Absent from Korean Presidential Campaign

Strategic Insights -

As Korea grapples with a deepening demographic crisis, immigration issues have been woefully underrepresented in the country's presidential campaign platforms, with only one candidate, Kwon Young-kook of the Korean Democratic Labor Party, standing out for his commitment to reforming immigration policies. Despite the urgent need for inclusive and sustainable immigration policies, many politicians have started advocating for stricter immigration policies, while others have yet to put forward any specific commitments on foreign labor or immigrant rights. Meanwhile, the number of foreign residents in Korea has exceeded 2.65 million, making up 5.2 percent of the total population, with long-term residents now making up over 36 percent of the foreign resident population.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kwon Young-kook of the Korean Democratic Labor Party is the only presidential candidate to have introduced official policies addressing the needs of foreign residents and migrant populations, including establishing a dedicated immigration agency and enacting the basic law on immigrants.
  • The number of foreign residents in Korea has exceeded 2.65 million, making up 5.2 percent of the total population, with long-term residents now making up over 36 percent of the foreign resident population.
  • Migrant workers continue to play a vital role in manufacturing hubs across rural areas and in Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds Seoul, underscoring the urgent need for inclusive and sustainable immigration policies.
  • Some politicians, including former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, have started advocating for stricter immigration policies, while others, such as PPP candidate Kim Moon-soo, have opposed policies that protect migrant workers.
  • The current presidential campaign has largely neglected immigration and multicultural policies, despite the growing need for inclusive and sustainable immigration policies.
  • The Seoul YMCA, a leading advocate for immigrant rights, has called on presidential candidates to adopt policies that strengthen the rights and inclusion of foreign residents.
  • The Korean government's policies on immigration have been increasingly criticized for being pro-immigrant, with some experts arguing that the country needs to adopt stricter policies to address the influx of migrant workers.
  • The number of migrant workers in Korea has increased significantly over the past decade, from 934,000 in 2012 to over 2.65 million in 2022, according to data from the Ministry of Justice.
  • The proportion of foreign residents in Korea has also increased, from 2.4 percent of the population in 2012 to 5.2 percent in 2022, making foreign residents a significant minority in Korean society.

Statistics:

  • 2.65 million: the number of foreign residents in Korea in 2022, making up 5.2 percent of the total population (Ministry of Justice, 2022).
  • 36 percent: the proportion of long-term residents among foreign residents in Korea in 2022 (Ministry of Justice, 2022).
  • 934,000: the number of migrant workers in Korea in 2012 (Ministry of Justice, 2012).
  • 2.65 million: the number of migrant workers in Korea in 2022 (Ministry of Justice, 2022).

Sources:

  • Ministry of Justice (2022). Data on foreign residents in Korea.
  • Ministry of Justice (2012). Data on foreign residents in Korea.
  • Seoul YMCA (2022). Statement calling on presidential candidates to adopt policies that strengthen the rights and inclusion of foreign residents.