MULTICULTURALISM AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY IN KOREA

Globalization and demographic changes reduce barriers that hinder

divergent culture to enter South Korea. Since long time ago, South Korea has
been culturally homogenous society and their believe in traditional culture is
strong. Influence of Confucianism remains strong in Korean blood. South Korea is
exposed to diverse culture and becoming multicultural society, as more than a
million foreigners live in the country. Therefore question and confusion arise
regarding this issue, whether Korean Society will embrace multiculturalism and
ethnic diversity or not.
Multiculturalism and ethnic diversity can actually give advantage to
Korean society. People from different countries have their own uniqueness and
diverse workforce provides a larger pool of ideas and experiences. Those
differences will give new point of view and make employee to think outside the
box. They can view the world differently and broaden their knowledge.
Multiculturalism allows workers to solve problems more effective and find
innovative solutions. Moreover, that pool can fulfill the needs of customer more
effectively and improve Koreas business that covers global preferences. In
addition, multiculturalism changes education system in Korea to meet a better
international standard. By changing education system and attracting more
foreign students, Korean students can get new knowledge and experience of
International environment. Thus, with new experience and knowledge Korean
people can get better job and improve their living standard into higher social
economic status.
Nevertheless, on the other side, regardless the advantage of
multiculturalism, does it actually possible that multiculturalism and ethnic
diversity to be accepted in Korean society? Globalization enables people around
the world more practical to travel due to the improvement in transportation.
Thus, there is rapidly increase in number of migrant workers and also foreign
students that arrive in South Korea and bring change to the nature of Korea
national identity. It is no longer rare to see mixed race children and also marriage
with mixed race. These minorities often get discriminate and treated not equally.
Many Korean biased towards multiculturalism and put bad image in their
perception. Moreover, in International school, foreign students usually being
ignored. Many Korean students like to talk with Korean rather than communicate
with foreigners. In addition, in school there are often found some Korean students
who bully foreign students. Korean still do not have an open minded towards
multiculturalism and ethnic diversity. Korea still has a long way to go to embrace
multiculturalism and ethnic diversity.
If Korean still sees multiculturalism as a threat, Korea could fall behind
countries that successfully embrace multiculturalism like Europe. The challenge
that lies ahead is that the strong nationalism of Korean people that make it
difficult to adapt with multiculturalism. Korean people still consider foreigners are
unequal. Government should create policy and law that could give proper
treatment to foreigners. Moreover, Korean national identity is strong enough. In
order to be acknowledging as truly Korean, people should be able to speak
Korean and become South Korean citizens. Influence of traditional culture force
Korean people to married with Korean because this purpose is to inheriting
Korean tradition and culture.

To conclude, Korean doesnt reach the stage where people embrace

multiculturalism and dignity. However since Korea living in a global society,
People should expand their understanding of what makes a Korean. Government
should put more efforts and change the concept of multiculturalism to reach the
stage where people can live in harmonious society and benefit from the diversity.
They should have open-minded and tolerate other culture to embrace
multiculturalism and ethnic diversity.