South Korea’s Justice Ministry said it is shifting immigration policy away from a focus on low-skilled, low-wage labor and toward a national strategy to attract talent, as the country confronts a low birthrate and an aging population.
The ministry said it held a joint forum with Seoul National University on Tuesday at the university’s Graduate School of Public Administration to discuss a “2030 immigration policy future strategy.”
The event was designed to map out practical steps to carry out the strategy announced in March, covering the full process from bringing in highly skilled foreign workers to helping them settle and supporting social integration.
Participants discussed four main topics: scientifically designing the scale of foreign inflows and wage standards; visa policy directions to secure overseas talent; upgrading social integration policy; and establishing a dedicated organization and infrastructure for immigration and border policy.
The ministry said discussions centered on moving beyond simply filling labor shortages by using data to plan admissions more precisely and building an organizational foundation to help newcomers become part of Korean society.
Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho said the forum would serve as “a foundation for South Korea’s future” in immigration and border policy. He said advancing the strategy would contribute to the economy and produce changes the public can feel.
The ministry said it will continue pursuing immigration policies that support economic activity and regional development while balancing social integration with protection of foreigners’ human rights.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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