World Immigration News

(The Chosun Daily)Success Conditions for Korea's 2030 Immigration Strategy

Release Date: 2026-06-14
Media: The Chosun Daily
Summary: The author argues that South Korea’s immigration policy has become a matter of national survival as the country faces the world’s lowest fertility rate and a rapidly aging population. During a visit to Uzbekistan, the author observed strong interest among young people studying Korean language, history, and culture, many of whom view Korea as a destination for their future.

While the government has announced its “2030 Immigration Policy Future Strategy,” the author believes that previous immigration initiatives often failed because of weak implementation. Immigration-related responsibilities are currently divided among multiple ministries, resulting in fragmented policies, overlapping budgets, and poor coordination.

To address this problem, the author calls for the establishment of a dedicated immigration authority with stronger leadership and decision-making power. He points to China’s National Immigration Administration and Japan’s Immigration Services Agency as examples of countries that have elevated immigration governance to a national strategic priority.

The article also emphasizes the importance of investing in social integration. The success of immigration policy should not be measured solely by the number of migrants admitted, but by how effectively they are integrated into local communities. The author supports creating a Social Integration Fund financed through immigration-related fees and contributions from the foreign worker system. Such a fund could support Korean language education, pre-arrival orientation programs, and settlement assistance in regions facing population decline.

Drawing on the enthusiasm of Uzbek youth, the author argues that Korea should expand integration programs even before migrants arrive in the country. He concludes that the success of the 2030 strategy depends on timely organizational reforms and sufficient budget investments, warning that delays could cause Korea to miss a critical opportunity to address its demographic challenges.
Tags: Korea

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