150709 영문 02 society

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South Korea – Summary Education, Research, and Industry Labor and Social Welfare System Transformation into a Multicultural Society

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China

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South Korea – Summary Geographical and Topographical Features

Myohyangsan

The Korean Peninsula (lat. 33˚ - 43˚; long. 124˚ - 132˚) lies in the middle of Northeast Asia, flanked by China to its west and Japan to its east. The peninsula is 950km long longitudinally and

Pyeongyang Geumgangsan

540km wide latitudinally, and has a total area of 223,405km2,

East Sea

of which South Korea occupies about 100,283.9km2 (2014). The

Seoraksan

northern end of the peninsula is joined to the Asian Continent.

Gaeseong Baengnyeongdo

The peninsula is predominantly mountainous, with flat land

Ganghwado Seoul Incheon

Ulleungdo Taebaeksan

Dokdo

accounting for only 30% of the entire territory. Mountains over 1,000m above sea level make up only 15% of the mountainous areas, while mountains lower than 500m account for 65%.

West Sea Daejeon

South Korea Overview

Gwangju

Jirisan

Busan

Ko re a

Ulsan

St ra it

Daegu

Geojedo Scale

Legend

Jindo

Demarcation line Capital City Mountain

Jeju Strait Hallasan Jejudo

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Country Name: Republic of Korea

Population: 51.33millon (2014)

Capital City: Seoul (since 1394)

Political System: Free democracy; Presidential system

National Anthem: Aegukga

President: Park Geun-hye (since 2013)

National Flag: Taegeukgi

President: Park Geun-hye (since 2013)

National Flower: Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon)

Economic Indicator (2013)

Language: Korean; Hangeul

- GDP: US$1,304.3 billion

Land Size: 223,405km2 (including North Korea) South Korea only: 100,283.9km2 (2014) Geographical Location: The Korean Peninsula (lat. 33˚ - 43˚; long. 124˚ - 132˚) Standard Time: 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time

- Per Capital GNI: US$26,205 - GDP growth rate: 3.0% - Currency: won (US$1 = 1,099.3 won(2014); floating exchange rate)

Japan 37

The Taebaeksan Mountain Range forms the backbone of the

the western and southern coasts of South Korea. Many beaches

peninsula, with the eastern part of the range rising higher than

around the peninsula boast beautiful scenery and world-class

the western part. Rivers, both small and large, originate from the

facilities.

high mountainous areas in the east and flow toward the West and South Seas, forming plains suitable for grain cultivation. The climate

Changes in Weather around the Year

created by the mountainous areas in the east has an impact on

The Korean Peninsula belongs to a temperate zone. There are

people’s lives. The easterly wind’s passage across the mountainous

marked changes in climate between the four distinct seasons.

areas is subject to the Foehn effect, creating a warm and dry wind

Under the influence of the continental climate, there is a

in the western downwind side of the mountain range. People

considerable difference in temperature between summer and

living in the areas to the east of the high mountains experience

winter. It is hot and humid in summer, and cold and dry in winter.

considerable inconveniences with regard to transportation, as these

Over the past thirty years, the summer temperature range has

areas have undergone very little development compared to the

averaged 20.5 - 26.1˚C, while the winter temperature range has

area to the west of the high mountains. However, the slow pace of

averaged -2.5 - 5.7˚C.

development has brought at least one advantage to local residents:

Many Koreans take their summer holidays during this

the natural sceneries have remained unspoilt and many people

period. During the peak season, the number of visitors to well-

now choose these areas as travel destinations.

known beaches, including Haeundae in Busan, Gyeongpodae in

The East Sea has a relatively straight, featureless coastline,

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Gangneung, and Daecheon on the West Sea, exceeds 1 million.

and the difference between high and low tide is only 30 cm.

In winter, people enjoy skating and skiing across the country.

However, the sea along the coast is generally deeper than

There are many ski slopes in Gangwon-do. Winter snowfall in the

1,000m. According to the result of a sonar measurement

mountainous areas of Gangwon-do sometimes reaches 50 - 60 cm

carried out by the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic

in a day or two. The average daytime temperature in spring and

Administration, the deepest part of the East Sea lies in the area

fall is maintained at 15 - 18˚C. In these seasons, the sky is clear

north of Ulleungdo Island (2,985m deep). In contrast, the sea

and the weather is pleasant and agreeable, encouraging many

along the West Sea is shallow, which has led to the formation

people to engage in outdoor activities or go on a trip.

of wide tidal flats. The deepest part of the West Sea is in the

Recently, the Korean Peninsula has shown signs of transition

waters surrounding Gageodo Island, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do

to a subtropical climate amid the phenomenon of global warming.

(124m deep). The rise and fall of the tide shows a considerable

In summer, the temperature rises above 35˚C. In spring, azaleas

difference, i.e. by as much as 7 - 8 m. The South coast has a heavily

and forsythias bloom earlier than in the past. Over the past 4 - 5

indented rias coastline. About 3,000 mainly small islands lie off

years, many new and extraordinary climate-related records have 39

been reported. In December 2010, a cold wave hit the peninsula for 39 days, lasting well into January of the following year. Heavy snowfall hit Donghae and Pohang, breaking a 79-year-old record.

In July 2011, the heavy rain concentrated on Seoul and its vicinity was recorded as the heaviest daily rainfall in the meteorological history of the country.

According to climate observation records, the average temperature in the Korean Peninsula has risen by 1.5˚C over the past century. Only ten years ago, it was usual for cold and warm

1 2 3 4

Four Seasons of Korea 1. Spring of Baraebong in Jirisan Mountain 2. Summer of Garibong Valley in Seoraksan Mountain 3. Autumn of Gayasan Mountain 4. Winner of Jeseokbong Peak in Jirisan Mountain (Source: Korea National Park)

weather to succeed each other on the peninsula every three or four days, but that pattern has disappeared.

The northern limit line for the growth of tree and plant species such as apple trees and green tea plants is moving gradually northward. The presence of more subtropical fish along the coast of the Korean Peninsula constitutes further proof of global warming. Researchers started observing coral reefs in the sea near Busan. The number of subtropical marine plants is increasing in the sea near Jejudo Island.

Population Archaeologists think that people started settling in the Korean Peninsula around B.C.700,000, during the Paleolithic Age. The population of South Korea stands at 51.14 million (2013), with 49.4% of the population concentrated in Seoul and its vicinity.

The government views the current low birthrate as a serious problem. The country’s birthrate fell to 1.08 per married couple (2005), a record low. The figure rose slightly to 1.19 by 2013 through the government’s efforts. Still, the figure falls short of the global average (1.71 in 2012). As for life expectancy, South 40

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Koreans’ life expectancy was approximately 81.3 years (2010) compared with an OECD average of 80.2 years.

Hangeul is composed of fourteen consonants and ten vowels.

It can express virtually all the sounds produced by nature and

Towards the end of the 19th century and throughout the early

humans. Every year, UNESCO presents the King Sejong Literacy

20th century, a large number of Koreans left the country. Initially,

Prize to people who have made a distinguished contribution

China, Russia, and the United States were their chief destinations,

to the elimination of illiteracy. The inclusion of ‘King Sejong’ in

but by the mid-20th century the destinations had become far more

the name of the prize may be said to be tacit recognition of his

diverse. The number of South Koreans living in foreign countries

greatest accomplishment, the creation of Hangeul, which is easy

amounts to 7.01 million(2013), i.e. 2.57 million in China, 2.09

to learn and use.

million in the United States, 0.89 million in Japan, and 0.61 million in EU countries.

National Flag (Taegeukgi)

Since 2011, the net inflow of population has outnumbered the

The national flag of South Korea is composed of a red and blue

net outflow. The number of foreign nationals residing or working

taegeuk pattern in the center and four black trigrams at each

in the country has increased dramatically, particularly since 2000.

corner, against a white background.

According to Statistics Korea, 369,000 foreign nationals arrived

The white background symbolizes brightness, purity, and peace-

in the country in 2013. Regarding the purpose of their arrival in

loving ethnic characteristics. The taegeuk pattern symbolizes yin

the country, employment (41.4%) topped the list, followed by

and yang (i.e. the idea that all things in the universe are created and

short-term stay (19.8%), long-term or permanent stay (6.4%),

evolve through the interaction of yin and yang). The four trigrams

sightseeing (6.0%), and study (5.2%). Recently, many foreigners

indicate the changes in and development of yin and yang by means

have come to the country for such diverse purpose as marriage to

of their combination (“ ” represents yin while “ ” represents

South Koreans, work, and study, etc.

yang;

[geongwae] heaven;

water; and Language and Letters Most linguists place Korean in the Altaic language family, though

[gongwae] earth;

King Sejong the Great Sejong was the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty. He made many great accomplishments in the spheres of science, economy, defense, art and culture. One of his greatest accomplishments was the creation of Hangeul in 1444, an easyto-learn, efficient, and scientific writing system.

He is respected as one of the country’s greatest kings among Koreans.

[gamgwae]

[igwae] fire. The four trigrams surrounding

the taegeuk represent unity.

The national flag, including the taegeuk

some consider it to be a language isolate, meaning that it cannot

pattern, which our ancestors liked to use in

be simply related with any other language. The written form of

their lives, expresses the ideal of the Korean

Korean uses Hangeul, a writing system commissioned by King

nation’s pursuit of creativity and prosperity.

Sejong (1397-1450) during the Joseon Dynasty. Koreans are very

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proud of this remarkable achievement, and Hangeul is a very

National Anthem (Aegukga)

efficient and easy script to learn and use.

The country’s national anthem was composed in 43

Shanghai Expo 2010 The South Korean Pavilion decorated with Hangeul consonants and vowels

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1935 by Mr. Ahn Eak-tai, who added a melody to lyrics written in the early 1900s. It was officially adopted with the establishment

National Symbol

of the government of the Republic of Korea in August 1948. Prior Geon (Sky)

Gam (Water)

to that, the country sang the same lyrics to the melody of Auld Lang Syne as the national anthem.

Red:Yang

National Flower (Mugunghwa)

Blue:Eum

The Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) is thought to be deeply

Ri (Fire)

Gon (Earth)

associated with what are regarded as the most typical Korean characteristics: a sincere heart, inwardness, and tenacity. Around

National flower: Mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon)

National flag: Taegeukgi

the late 9th century, the Chinese referred to Korea as “the country of mugunghwa.” The Korean word mugunghwa literally

Aegukga: “Patriotic Song” (National Anthem)

means a “never-withering flower.” The country’s national anthem Ahn Eak-tai

Moderato

includes the line: “Three thousand ri of splendid rivers and mountains covered with mugunghwa blossoms.” The emblem of

Until that day when the waters of the East Sea run dry and Baekdusan Mountain is worn away,

the government and the National Assembly contains the shape of a mugunghwa.

Political System

God protect and preserve our nation; Hurry to Korea

The country has adopted a Presidential system in which the President is elected by the direct vote of the people for a fiveyear term. The current President Park Geun-hye was elected in December 2012 for one term, which started on February 25, 2013.

Three thousand ri of splendid rivers and mountains covered with mugunghwa blossoms.

The government is composed of three independent branches: the Executive branch; the Legislative branch composed of 300 four-year term members of the National Assembly; and the Judiciary branch, which includes fourteen six-year term Supreme Court justices.

Great Korean people, stay true to the Great Korean way!

There are seventeen regional local governments and 227 basic local governments. The heads of the local governments and the members

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of local councils are each elected for a four-year term.

number of well-educated people, which in turn has helped

Division

the country achieve rapid economic growth. The basic school

In 1948, the two Koreas established their respective governments.

system is composed of kindergarten (1 to 3 years), elementary

Defined as two different countries under international law, they

school (6 years), middle school (3 years), high school (3 years),

joined the United Nations simultaneously in September 1991.

and university. There are also junior colleges (2 or 3 years) and

The Constitution of South Korea, however, regards North Korea as

graduate schools (for masters and PhD degrees).

part of the Republic of Korea.

Since 2004, all South Koreans are required to finish middle school under compulsory education. The government started

Education, Research, and Industry

paying childcare allowances for all infants aged up to 5 in 2013.

Education System Koreans regard education as very important. In the process of industrialization, human resources emerged as an important

“Korean style education will create a whirlwind of popularity as K-Pop does.”

factor in connection with the need to cope with scarce capital and resources more efficiently. Parents’ fervor regarding their children’s education has resulted in the production of a large

U.S. President Barack Obama often refers to Korean parents’ fervent eagerness about their children's education to urge American parents to make more strenuous efforts. It is reported that the innovation campaign initiated by President Obama in 2009 for the invigoration of education in science,

Number of Schools in Korea (2014)

skills, engineering, and math for American middle and

8,826

high school students was modelled on the South Korean experience. The most successful case of introducing Koreanstyle education into the United States is the Democracy Prep

5,934

Charter School in New York. About 80% of the students of this school in Harlem, New York, which is notorious for its high rate of narcotics and crimes, originate from low-income households.

3,186 2,326

Principal Seth Andrew (34) of this school taught English for one year in South Korea and saw that 1,209 166

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Koreans believed that the only way out of poverty is education. He decided to make sure that students of his school hold a similar belief and show respect for both teachers and education just

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as Koreans do. Such efforts on his part have brought about noticeable results in six years.

Kindergarten

Middle School

Elementary School

Special School

High School

University Junior College

Graduate School

Unit: schools / Source: Ministry of Education

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In 2010, his school was selected as the best among the 125 charter schools in New York in 2010 -2011 in a school performance appraisal. Seth Andrews said, “I am sure that Korean-style education will create a whirlwind of popularity as K-Pop does.”

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A Digital Reading Room at the National Library of Korea This is a space where people can access and use a vast corpus of digital materials, and engage in media editing, documentation, and research.

High Educational Competitiveness Thanks to a good system and the high regard for education, the country has many skilled people in virtually all sectors. Korea’s universities produce talented young people specializing in International Science Olympiad In this international middle and high school students' competition encompassing math, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and information, South Koreans record a good score every year.

basic science, including physics, and other major sectors, such as electronics, mechanical engineering, business management, economics, and accounting. Many educated adults can make themselves understood in English, with some of them speaking another foreign language. At present, the widespread availability of vocational education sessions at high schools helps students obtain qualifications in specialty areas.

According to the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), South Korean students display a high level of

Sophisticated Information Society

academic achievement in reading, math, and science.

South Korea is a leading powerhouse in information and communication technology. It is a country full of dynamism.

R&D Investment

It became the first country in the world to commercialize the

South Korea has a large number of talented people engaged in

CDMA and WiBro technologies and established a nationwide

cutting-edge research. At government institutes, in universities,

network based on the use of these technologies in 2011. The

and also within Korea’s many world-leading corporations, a

country has also made Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB)

vast range of projects are undertaken: from basic research to

part of people’s daily lives, while establishing a nationwide 4G

the development of advanced technologies and innovative new

communication long-term evolution (LTE) network.

commercial products.

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These sophisticated information and communication

The government R&D budget supports programs in a wide

technologies have led to changes in diverse social sectors,

variety of sectors, including high-end convergence, green

including the innovation of government administration. With the

resources, bioscience, welfare, and machine parts.

help of such advanced technologies, the procedures for reporting

A remarkable 12.4 out of ever 1,000 economically active

a baby’s birth, moving home or registering a person’s death are

people were employed as researchers in 2012, a total of more

handled more efficiently. Under the Social Networking Service

than 401,724; and their activities result in numerous patent

(SNS), people now use an interactive communication system

applications, both at home and abroad.

Social Network Service This service, which is represented by Twitter, Cyworld, and Facebook, is designed to help people build a solid network of collaboration between friends, colleagues, and acquaintances.

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United Nations E-Government Survey

in which the government provides useful information to people while members of the public can report cases of inconvenience to the government. The country exported e-government-related technologies worth US$873.18 million between 2002 and 2012.

In the biennial e-government evaluation conducted by the UN, South Korea ranked No. 1 in terms of comprehensive scores in 2010 and 2012 among the 193 countries evaluated. The country took first place in development indices associated with

2005

2008

2010

2012

2014

5th

6th

1st

1st

1st

Online services

0.97(4th)

0.82(6th)

1.00(1st)

1.00(1st)

0.97(3rd)

Information/communication infrastructure

0.67(9th)

0.69(10th)

0.64(13th)

0.83(7th)

0.93(2nd)

Relevant capital

0.98(10th)

0.98(7th)

0.99(7th)

0.94(6th)

0.92(6th)

4th

2nd

1st

1st

1st

E-government development index

Online participation index

(Source: UN DESA)

information/communication infrastructure and human resources as well as in people’s online participation.

With the improvement of sophisticated communication

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society and as a primary source of national competitiveness.

infrastructures and the increase in the number of mobile

In South Korea, the development of creative good-quality

communication devices, people can engage in real-time

cultural products, in which human resources are combined with

communication and exchange of information with others

cultural resources, is viewed as an industrial sector that will

worldwide. Social Networking Services such as Twitter and

play a leading role in the 21st century. Current examples of the

Facebook are bringing about revolutionary changes in society.

country’s promising cultural products include K-Pop, TV dramas

Especially, the SNS Kakao Talk (global mobile instant messenger)

(e.g. Dae Jang Geum), and TV animations for infants (e.g. Pororo).

developed in South Korea in 2010 has been attracting

According to the United Nations Development Programme

considerable attention. The number of Kakao Talk subscribers

(UNDP), the country’s Human Development Index (HDI) is rising,

stands at 100 million worldwide. It is used by most South Korean

apparently as a result of the growing emphasis on investment

smart phone users. Pop Cast, another form of SNS, is establishing

and the development of human resources as key actors of

a new area in the communication (broadcasting) sector. Now,

creative industrial sectors. The Human Development Index (HDI)

SNS even exerts an influence in politics through the formation of

is a composite statistic of the life expectancy, education, and

public opinion, in addition to its inherent functions such as the

income indices used to rank countries into four tiers of human

delivery of information or entertainment.

development.)

Changes and Vision

Labor and Social Welfare System

South Korea is rapidly changing into a knowledge-based society.

Social Security System

Human resources are regarded as the most important element of

South Korea operates a labor and welfare system that meets

Administrative Agencies’ Information System Information/ communication technologies help administrative agencies carry out their assignments more efficiently by providing information services relating to individual sectors such as customs clearance, patents, budget accounting, disaster management, immigration control, mail classification, response to public complaints, employment, transportation, residents’ registration, etc.

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reasonable service fees, has been appraised as an exemplary case

Pororo, the country’s representative character for infants, plays a leading role in the progress of the country’s future cultural industry by introducing a variety of products using educational animations and characters.

by other countries.

Workers subscribe to Employment Insurance. When a subscribed worker is dismissed, he/she is entitled to half of his/ her wage for a given period of time and to job transfer training.

Workers also subscribe to retirement pension and national pension plans.

All people are required to subscribe to the four social insurances (i.e. industrial accident, health, employment, and pension insurances). As regards the payment of insurance premiums, employers and the government bear part of the fees.

People pay insurance fees according to their income, which leads to income redistribution. international norms. Workers’ three basic rights are guaranteed.

The aim of the country’s public welfare system is “from the

Public officials also have their basic rights guaranteed as workers

cradle to the grave.” A pregnant worker is eligible for 90 days’

despite some restrictions on their right of collective action.

maternity leave, 60 days of which are paid leave, she is also

In the 1980s, the country adopted the minimum wage system in

entitled to take a year of temporary leave for childcare, receiving

an effort to enhance workers’ rights. The country has also enacted

part of her wage. In 2013, the government also started paying

the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and a system that assists

childcare allowances to parents with an infant aged 5 or less.

the disabled.

With the increase in the number of senior citizens, welfare for

The country operates the social insurance system against

the elderly has emerged as an important social issue. The country

contingencies relating to disaster, disease, unemployment, and

adopted long-term care insurance for the elderly and the basic

death. Workers subscribe to Industrial Accident Insurance against

old age pension system.

work-related accident, disease or death. It is obligatory for all The Four Social Insurances Relevant individuals, businesses, and the government share the burden of insurance premiums for the four social insurances.

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people to subscribe to the Health Insurance. As of 2014, end of

Role of Women

June, 50.14 million people (including foreigners), i.e. 98.5% of the

Samguk yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) compiled by

entire population, enjoyed the benefits provided under the state-

the Buddhist Monk Iryeon in 1281 contains a very interesting

run health insurance system. The country’s medical insurance

myth about the birth of the first Korean woman. It says that

system, which provides a high-quality medical service for

a bear morphed into the first Korean woman after fulfilling a 55

difficult task given by a god, of which the bear endured twenty-

Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. In 2013, Park Geun-hye

one days of feeding only on mugwort and garlic without any

became the first woman President in South Korea’s 65-year history.

exposure to sunshine. The woman eventually married Hwanung, the son of god, and gave birth to a son named Dangun, who is

Transformation into a Multicultural Society

the forefather of the Korean people. This founding myth of Korea

South Korea has long been a culturally homogeneous society,

illustrates the main characteristics of Korean women, which are

but the number of migrant workers and foreign students has

said to be patience and tenacity.

increased rapidly since the end of the 20th century. As of 2014,

In the 1st century BC, a heroine named Soseono played

the number of foreign-born people in the country stands at 1.57

a critical role in the foundation of Goguryeo and Baekje

million, with the number of foreign-born people married to South

Kingdoms. In the early 7th century, Queen Seondeok of Silla

Koreans amounting to 240,000. The number of migrant workers

accomplished many notable deeds, including the stabilization

in the country stands at 850,000. The country is turning into a

of ordinary people’s lives, the provision of relief to the poor, and

multicultural society.

the construction of Cheomseongdae Observatory and the nine-

Ethnic Koreans with Chinese citizenship account for the

tier pagoda at Hwangnyongsa Temple. In the early 10th century,

greatest proportion of foreign nationals living in the country.

Queen Sinhye, the wife of King Taejo of Goryeo, distinguished

Recently, the number of multicultural households has increased

herself by assisting the King with the establishment important

dramatically to 230,000, largely as a result of the high number

national policies. Sin Saimdang of Joseon, who lived in the early

of marriages between Koreans and foreigners. The government

16th century, is respected as an exemplar of the wise mother

launched an office dedicated to providing support for foreign

and good wife. Her portrait features on 50,000won banknotes.

citizens’ social activities within the country and enacted

Yu Gwan-sun lost her life at the age of 18 after being tortured by

the Multicultural Families Support Act. Under the said Act,

the Japanese police following her arrest for involvement in the

multicultural family support centers (www.liveinkorea.kr) have

independence movement in March 1919. She is regarded as one

been opened in 200 places around the country to provide the

of Korea’s leading patriots.

following services: Korean language education sessions designed

Foreigners who visited Korea towards the end of the 19th

to help foreigners adapt to life in Korea; psychological counseling;

century and in the early 20th century wrote that Korean

events intended to celebrate the festivities of other countries; and

women enjoyed a considerably higher social status than their

job seeking opportunities.

counterparts in nearby countries.

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The government is taking diverse measures in recognition

In 2001, South Korea became the first country to launch a

of foreign cultures and making efforts to avoid social problems

Ministry of Gender Equality; its name was later changed to the

that may result due to the inflow of foreign cultures. One 57

Foreigners are also starting to take a more prominent role Nationality of foreign residents in South Korea

in their adopted country. For example, Jasmine Lee is a FilipinaKorean who is currently serving as a member of the Gender

Others (21.1%)

Equality and Family Committee of the 19th National Assembly

Filipinos (4.1%)

(May 2012 – May 2016). She is known for her efforts to protect 2014

Americans (4.5%) South Asians (4.8%) Vietnamese (11.8%)

Chinese (including ethnic Koreans) (53.7%)

(Source: Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs)

the welfare and advance the rights of people in multicultural households.

As of November 2013, a total of fifty-six foreign-born Koreans from thirteen countries are serving as public officials with the central or local governments. Chinese-Korean Kim Mi-hwa, an official of Changwon City, is one of them. The foreign-born celebrities we frequently see in local TV programs include Robert

such measure consists in the provision of support to transform

Holley (American-Korean) and Sam Hammington (an Australian).

multicultural villages into tourist destinations.

All things considered, the recent foreign arrivals are integrating

Chinatown in Seollin-dong in Incheon is perhaps the most

well into South Korean society, and multiculturalism is bringing

representative example of a unique foreign culture in Korea. The

many benefits: there is every indication that this harmonious

history of the place began when ethnic Chinese settled there,

coexistence of diverse cultures will continue to flourish.

taking advantage of its geographical proximity to China, in the late 19th century. Nowadays, the area serves as a forward base for the country’s exchanges with China, and has emerged as a new tourist destination for enthusiasts of history and culture.

There is a Special Multicultural Zone in Wongok-dong, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do. People from China, India and Pakistan living here can purchase specialties of their home countries in the zone.

There is a Japanese village in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul; a Muslim village near the mosque in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul; a French village (Seorae Village) in Banpo-dong, Gangnamgu, Seoul; a Vietnamese town is in Wangsimni, Seoul; and a Nepalese town in Changsin-dong, Seoul.

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