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44. A Fundamental Study to Explore Human Resources Development among Children of International Marriage
Households and Foreign Workers
Nam-chul Lee, Mi-Young Lee Ji-Sun Chung, Il-Gyu Kang
The aim of this research is to explore the prospects of children of international marriage households and foreign workers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the problems facedby multicultural children in human resources development (hereafter called "MCHRD"). The major study methods used were previous research and a government policy review, field surveys, in-depth interviews, and a symposium on multicultural children in human resources development. The field survey was conducted among 904 teachers, 2,308 students, 2,308 parents, and 160 multicultural supporting institutes.
At present, approximately 1.1 million people with migrant backgrounds live in Korea. MCHRD in Korea face many problems, such as discrimination in various fields, including education, social exclusion and social isolation, a lack of language proficiency, racism, and higher levels of unemployment.
Major policy measures designed to deal with the problems faced by MCHRD have been generated from among a variety of central government and local government agencies and supporting institutes for migration families. In the following, we will describe key organizations and programs relevant to multicultural families. The key role of government is to improve multicultural family related laws and to deliver policy to the Ministry of Education, Science & Technology, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, the Ministry of Gender Equality, the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, etc.
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The Ministry of Law's role is to advocate and promote respect for human rights in Korea, and to encourage harmonious relations between individuals and among the diverse groups in Korea. The Ministry of Law provides information to the public about discrimination and helps resolve complaints relating to discrimination. The legislative framework is very important for MCHRD, as it establishes their right to maintain their cultural practices and identity. The Ministry of Labor should lead, evaluate, and monitor equal employment with civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights regardless of race, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Policy makers must recognize the importance of regional organizations in improving overall multicultural family competencies.
In multicultural families, one of the most significant barriers to educational achievement, employment, and social integration is a lack of Korean language proficiency. Korean language classes are widely available and are provided by several institutes. In multicultural supporting organizations, migrants are taught how to find courses that best meet their needs. Courses are provided by elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, universities, and lifelong learning institutes.
The programs are mostly provided free of charge. The acquisition of Korean language competency is critically important for multicultural families, as the inability to speak the language of the host society leads to poor educational and employment outcomes, and causes social marginalization and isolation. Korean language courses need to be improved, and made readily available and affordable. There are also private education institutes providing Korean language classes.
In order to support the policies of MCHRD, and to enable the development of appropriate policies, it is necessary to take into account a number of things. Integration into Korean society does not mean assimilation. MCHRD need to be enabled and supported in maintaining their own culture and legal frameworks.
It is necessary to provide support at all levels, from central government to local governments, on broad societal attitudes as well as on the
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problems of individuals if multicultural families are to feel at home in their new society.
