Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Julius]

About 64 percent of Koreans are concerned about possible riots or demonstrations by immigrants as their communities grow larger, a survey showed Sunday.

The survey was conducted by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA) on 1,000 people aged over 20 nationwide through telephone interviews to see how Koreans perceive the inflow of immigrants here.

It showed a majority think that the increase is having a negative impact on society, causing social and cultural discord between Koreans and non-Koreans.

About 63.9 percent said they believe that there will be conflict between the children of Korean parents and non-Korean parents amid the increasing number of biracial marriages here.

As the main reasons for conflict between Koreans and foreign nationals, most respondents cited differences in language, culture and skin color.

Such negative views seem to arise from concerns that they have to share limited social resources such as jobs and welfare benefits, KIHASA said.

As of October last year, the total number of foreign residents in Korea reached 1.4 million, and 1.1 million were registered for extended stays, which accounted for 2.2 percent of the total population.

Of them, 35 percent were migrant workers with a work permit visa, while 34 percent came here through marriage. International students accounted for about 7 percent.

In the survey, one out of every two respondents said Koreans will have difficulty in getting jobs due to the increasing number of foreigners here. Some 37 percent also believe their inflow into the job market will result in Korean wages falling.

Such concerns are more prevalent among the elderly. Over 65 percent of respondents aged over 65 think the inflow of foreigners will deprive Koreans of jobs.

About 37 percent of respondents said the increasing number will result in a decrease in welfare benefits for Koreans.

Some 36 percent also said they will cause housing problems to Koreans and 27.7 percent said they will have a negative impact on the nation�s economic growth.

Lee Sam-sik, a KIHASA researcher, said the negative attitude of Koreans toward foreign nationals can be a serious problem that causes social discord.

�The survey indicates that, in the almost homogeneous local society, Koreans may have difficulty living with foreigners and tackling problems,� he said.

He suggested the country considers measures such as a quota for foreign residents and a proper screening system to minimize the side effects from sudden influxes.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/01/117_102925.html

[Dodge7]

yawn...Just some more nationalistic pride spouting off here. Nothing new.
The whole WORLD is mixing, there's not much they can do or say about it especially when they are sending their own people to MY country in droves for work and education, too. Sick of it.
Shove off Korea. Get used to it. We're here to stay--especially us F2's with families.
I also find it humorous that while culture differences, housing (to some extent) and jobs are or should be at the forefront of their concerns, the title indicates RIOTS as their main fear?
Where is this substantiated in the news? When have we ever rioted or gave them reason to fear we'd riot?
Wtf. I think Mr. Kim Tae-jong has done an epic job of fear mongering and trolling. Well done, sir.

[northway]

That's rather amusing.

[Julius]

[Dodge7]

^^
That wasn't my first thought. I was thinking more along the lines of overcrowding. But now that you mention it, I just moved in my new apartment and have been getting "there goes the neighborhood" looks with mutterings and rolling of the eyes.
So Im sure you may be right.

[northway]

[kimchijigijig]

[cj1976]

It's ok if Koreans want to burn buses and cars in the streets in protest against such evils as imported meat, but if mistreated migrant workers want to fight for their rights then that is an outrage!

[Weigookin74]

Better get your riot gear on!

[TheUrbanMyth]

[weso1]

They aren't talking about us. They mean the SEAsian factory workers that come here and then have 3 or 4 kids, bring in their grandparents, and aunts and uncles, and soon enough they take over whole neighborhoods.

I for one don't have a problem with it. People are going to find a way to live better than they did before. More power to them. But Koreans really hate that.

[DIsbell]

DEY TURK ER JERBS!!!!

Bigots around the world are so similar.

Hopefully Korea takes a proactive approach, providing support to immigrants and ramping up their public education campaigns. By all means screen immigrants and have quotas, but make sure those quotas are large and the screening isn't too much of a headache. Also, tone down the nationalism in education, especially the racial component. Play up the foreign, Korean-speaking pop stars in more PSAs. It would be much better to build a positive framework for immigration before Korea runs into a shrinking population crisis, a la Japan.

[xhaktmtjdnf]

Well I think some people are fearful of immigrants displacing or changing the culture along with the fear of losing jobs to immigrants is a universal fear regardless of country. Korea like everywhere else is changing and change is often difficult.

[CentralCali]

[12ax7]

You should read that story with a grain of salt.