Gyeonggi Province is proud to have the most advanced immigration policy in the country!

On October 28, Gyeonggi Province held a policy discussion meeting on establishing a human rights protection system for immigrants in the 2nd small conference room of the National Assembly Members’ Hall to discuss ways to strengthen the effectiveness of the “Three Major Ordinances on the Protection of Human Rights for Immigrants,” the first of its kind in the nation, expand the participation of stakeholders, and establish a cooperative system between the government and local governments.

The three major ordinances enacted in September in Gyeonggi Province are the ‘Gyeonggi Province Ordinance on Prohibition of Racial Discrimination and Guarantee of Human Rights for Residents with Migrant Backgrounds,’ the ‘Gyeonggi Province Ordinance on Protection of Human Rights and Guarantee of Basic Living for Refugees,’ and the ‘Ordinance on Discovery and Support of Unregistered Foreign Children Born in Gyeonggi Province.’

The event, held together with National Assembly members Park Hae-cheol and Seo Mi-hwa (Democratic Party), and National Assembly members Yoon Jong-oh and Son Sol (Progressive Party), was attended by approximately 100 people, including Gyeonggi Province 2nd Vice Governor Kim Dae-soon, Gyeonggi Province Council member Lee In-ae, National Human Rights Commission officials, and foreign residents.

Deputy Governor Kim Dae-soon said, "There are 810,000 immigrants living in Gyeonggi Province alone. Korea is already on the path to becoming a multi-ethnic, multicultural nation." He added, "Now is the time to move beyond enacting ordinances and move toward real change. We will reflect the content discussed today in our policies to create a community where immigrants can live together with respect.“

Congressman Park Hae-cheol stated, "Despite institutional progress, the reality immigrants face on the ground remains dire. I will contribute to creating a society where immigrants are respected as members of society with equal rights."

Provincial Council Member Lee In-ae stated, "I will do my utmost to enhance the enforcement of the three major ordinances enacted this time," adding, "I will support immigrants so they can grow and settle without social exclusion.“

The event was moderated by Jasmin Lee, President of the Korea Cultural Diversity Organization. Professor Seol Dong-hoon of the Department of Sociology at Chonbuk National University presented on the topic, "Changes in Korea's Immigrant Society and the Need for a Human Rights Guarantee System.“

Professor Seol stated, "While Korea is already considered a multicultural and immigrant society, its human rights protection system is still in its infancy." He added, "Gyeonggi Province's ordinance serves as an excellent model for human rights policy and can serve as a benchmark for nationwide expansion." The ensuing discussion addressed the roles of the central and local governments, the sustainability of the human rights protection system, and field-focused policy improvement measures.

Choi Seo-ri, a research fellow at the Korea Immigration Policy Institute, emphasized the importance of the central government's systematic management of immigration policies and the integration of local governments' field-oriented policies.

Oh Gyeong-seok, director of the Gyeonggi Immigration and Social Integration Support Center, said, "It wasn't easy to standardize the common sense of guaranteeing migrant human rights." He added, "We spent over a year discussing the three ordinances with numerous migrant support organizations, foreign residents, the Gyeonggi Provincial Council, the legal community, academia, and international organizations, and as a result, we were able to achieve results."

Oh also stated, "To ensure the effectiveness of the Gyeonggi Province Human Rights Guarantee Ordinance, national-level institutional reform and the establishment of a metropolitan governance structure are necessary. I am proud of Gyeonggi Province, which is leading the nation in institutionalizing and implementing migrant policies.“

Based on the discussions at this forum, Gyeonggi Province plans to strengthen the on-site effectiveness of policies guaranteeing migrant human rights, establish governance through expanded migrant participation, and establish a cooperative system between the central and local governments.

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