Overview
South Korean has a homogenous population consisting of 97.7% of ethnically Koreans. Yet, the Korean population has diverse religious affiliation, with 56.9% not affiliated to any religion and the rest affiliated to Protestant (19.7%), Buddhism (15.5%), and Catholic (7.9%). Currently, South Korea has a sizeable migrant population, accounting for 3.4% of the population (IOM 2020b).
Since 2004, South Korea has pursued an Employment Permit System, enhancing its migrant intake in its labour market. Koreans generally enjoy basic freedoms and rights, and socially inclusive institutions. Since the late 1980s, South Korea pursued state multiculturalism for neoliberal economic and political purposes, with the goal of achieving economic development. Yet migrants face an inequitable environment, with persistent problems including negative socio-cultural attitudes, racism, and discrimination (Watson 2010).
Intercultural Dialogue Index (ICDI) Score
Component | Score |
Legislative Dimension | 0.61 |
Multiculturalism | 0.56 |
Anti-Discrimination | 0.67 |
Structural Dimension | 0.59 |
Social Contact | 0.02 |
Fractionalisation | 0.85 |
Inequality | 0.84 |
Access to communication | 0.45 |
Cohesion and Stability | 0.77 |
Opportunities Dimension | 0.66 |
Attitudes | 0.24 |
Inclusion | 0.95 |
Freedoms and Rights | 0.78 |
ICDI Score | 0.62 |
Summary
South Korea has achieved an overall ICDI score of 0.62. A score above 0.7 in the components of cohesion and stability signals a positive climate for the promotion of intercultural understanding. Similarly, scores above 0.8 in the components of fractionalization and (in)equality signal favourable conditions for the promotion of in-bound tourism and cultural participation. A high score of 0.9 in the component of inclusion indicates low levels of discrimination against ethnic minorities. In a sharp contrast, low scores in the components of social contact suggests little platforms available for social contact and cultural participation. This could also correlate to a low score in the component of intercultural attitudes which signal a lack of tolerance towards different groups within the society.
Current situation and outlook
South Korea has scored moderately across all three dimensions which contribute to its overall ICDI score. The overall ICDI score for South Korea can be improved by increasing the platforms available for social contact and encouraging intercultural participation. These efforts can also contribute to strengthening the country’s intercultural opportunities dimension as there is a possibility for supportive intercultural attitudes to be developed towards other groups along with increased social tolerance. South Korea can also strengthen its anti-discrimination and multi-cultural acts and policies to enhance its legislative dimension.