Between Foreigners and Compatriots: Social Integration of Ethnic Koreans in Korea

Ethnic Koreans (foreign nationals of Korean descent) are the largest migrant group in South Korea, numbering 848,724 in 2023 and accounting for 33.8% of the foreign population. Far from being just "overseas Koreans," they have become integral members of their ancestral homeland. This study explores their social integration in Korea and the factors influencing this process, with a focus on South Korea's immigration policy, which differentiates immigrants based on factors like human capital, their role in the labor market, and whether they are of Korean descent. These distinctions determine their residency status and limit their participation in the labor market.

Using data from the 2021 Survey on Immigrant Residence Status and Employment, the study plans to update its findings with 2023 survey data to examine whether policy changes between 2021 and 2023—such as expanding the industries in which overseas Koreans can work—have improved their socioeconomic status.

The descriptive analysis shows that ethnic Koreans, particularly those on work visit visas, face disadvantages compared to other migrant groups, including non-professional and professional workers and marriage migrants. These disadvantages are evident in areas such as employment, income, housing, health, insurance, pension coverage, and life satisfaction. Additionally, their sense of belonging to Korean society and local communities is lower than that of other migrant groups.

These challenges appear to arise from government policies that restrict residency and employment opportunities for ethnic Koreans to protect the domestic labor market. The findings contradict the assumption that ethnic Koreans, due to their cultural and linguistic familiarity and more favorable residency status, would have an advantage in integrating into Korean society. Moreover, the negative perception of Korean Chinese as being more loyal to China contributes to their social and cultural isolation, further limiting their opportunities.