A new poll shows many foreign residents in South Korea view the country as a temporary home due to restrictive immigration and job systems. They praise cultural influence and IT infrastructure but point to challenges like high housing costs and regulatory changes.
An online poll of 258 foreign residents and naturalized Koreans, conducted by Hankook Research for The Korea Times from December 18 to 24, revealed that many do not view South Korea as a realistic place for long-term life, highlighting uncertainties in securing permanent status, stable jobs, or a sense of belonging.
While 60 percent said Korean society is open to cultural diversity, only 24 percent disagreed, indicating everyday welcoming attitudes but institutional barriers. Shortcomings included visa and employment systems (45 percent), complicated administration (43 percent), lack of diversity foundations (41 percent), and limits in housing, education, and welfare (33 percent). To become truly global, 39 percent called for simplifying visa, permanent residency, and naturalization systems.
Strengths highlighted were widespread cultural influence (52 percent) and advanced technologies plus IT infrastructure (45 percent). Daily conveniences favored fast IT services like mobile payments (31 percent), delivery and 24-hour stores (25 percent), medical access (22 percent), and public transport (21 percent). Societal issues topped by extreme competition in education and employment (43 percent) and high housing costs (40 percent), especially in the Seoul area.
Seventy-two percent saw Seoul as competitive for global business and finance, but 28 percent cited frequent regulatory changes as an investment obstacle, followed by complex taxes and labor rigidity (17 percent each). For hiring more foreigners, 40 percent urged improving perceptions, with 26 percent seeking greater cultural diversity acceptance.
Kim Joon-sik, honorary chairman of Asian Friends, described Korea as "very closed" institutionally, urging pathways to permanent residency. Kim Sa-gang from the Migration and Human Rights Institute noted under 10 percent of foreign students secure stable jobs due to language tests. An Chong-ki of Korea University said cultural and IT appeals clash with housing costs and hurdles. Park Jong-pill of KLES emphasized corporate mindset changes as key. Marie Antonia von Schonburg of the Korean-German Chamber stressed policy predictability for investments. Amid low birthrates, these findings underscore immigration reform needs.
