1. Research background and goal

￮ (Background) It is imperative that Jeonbuk State formulate policy strategies to effectively address the region’s rapid population decline and the potential crisis of regional extinction. In this context, Jeonbuk cities and counties experiencing population decline are proactively recruiting foreign workers as part of their population policy via the Ministry of Justice’s “Region-specific Visa Project (the Visa Project).”

￮ Foreigners in Jeonbuk State are significantly outnumbered by those in other cities and provinces, exhibiting a relatively high proportion of temporary resident permits (such as non-professional jobs and student visas) compared to permanent immigration (e.g., reverse migration, permanent residency, and marriage green card). Therefore, to optimize the effectiveness of population policies, it is critical to implement policies that attract permanent residents who are more inclined to settle in the region.

￮ In addition, it is essential to focus on the benefits of attracting overseas Koreans’ family members (type 2) via the Visa Project and formulating relevant action plans. However, Jeonbuk lacks a settlement support policy for Korean compatriots in China and ethnic Koreans from the former Soviet Union (Koryoin), which is primarily attributable to the absence of up-to-date data and information on their statuses and conditions. 

￮ (Goal) This study aimed to develop settlement support policies to attract overseas Koreans as Jeonbuk’s prospective de jure population and leverage the Visa Project to encourage the inflow of their family members (type 2), thus addressing population decline and potential regional extinction.

2. Research method

￮ First, we reviewed research reports, articles, and statistics and examined agency-specific administrative data. Second, we analyzed raw data, including foreigner-related statistics available from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, as well as analytical research on immigrants’ status and employment. Lastly, we administered surveys and in-depth interviews targeting Chinese and Koryoin compatriots residing in Jeonbuk and conducted focus group interviews with field and academic experts.

3. Major findings and policy implications

￮ A gradual increase in the migration of Chinese and Koryo compatriots to Korea, along with a heightened national awareness of them, necessitates relevant population policies. However, Jeonbuk State presents several opportunities for improvement in the collection of statistics and the development of settlement support policies for overseas Koreans residing in Jeonbuk.

￮ A policy shift is required from the existing focus on foreigners and multicultural families to ones that prioritize overseas ethnic Koreans, namely policies that attract both overseas Koreans and their family members, thereby encouraging them to proactively pursue permanent residency. 

￮ Furthermore, Jeonbuk is advised to diversify its existing programs by strengthening collaboration with those institutions that currently support multicultural families and foreign workers, while refining legal and administrative systems and offering one-stop support to achieve tangible policy outcomes for overseas Koreans. 

4. Strategies designed to facilitate settlement support for overseas Koreans and expand the Visa Project (type 2).

￮ To this end, we developed four policy roadmaps for Jeonbuk State based on the derived policy implications: (1) expanding support for initial adaptation and settlement of overseas Koreans, (2) formulating strategies to synergistically expand the Visa Project, (3) enhancing social awareness and promoting social integration, and (4) establishing a legal and institutional foundation and strengthening operational systems. Additionally we proposed 16 detailed action plans (draft).

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