The association’s formation stems from a desire to reduce policy and administrative discrimination against immigrant entrepreneurs. (Image courtesy of the Gyeongnam Migrants Community Center)
CHANGWON, Aug. 22 (Korea Bizwire) –With the number of foreign residents in South Korea inching past 2.5 million, marking the country’s transition into a multicultural society, a groundbreaking association of foreign-born entrepreneurs is set to launch next week in the southern Gyeongnam region.
According to the Gyeongnam Migrants Community Center, approximately 120 naturalized citizens and foreign business owners operating in South Korea will inaugurate the Migrant Entrepreneurs Association in Korea (MEAK) on August 28 at 6 p.m. at the Hill Sky Wedding & Convention center in Changwon.
The association’s formation stems from a desire to reduce policy and administrative discrimination against immigrant entrepreneurs. Many have reported facing unequal treatment compared to native Koreans in various aspects of business operations.
Lee Cheol-seung, the director of the Gyeongnam Migrants Community Center who spearheaded the association’s establishment, explained the challenges faced by immigrant business owners.
“I witnessed an immigrant entrepreneur struggling with the overwhelming amount of paperwork required at the immigration office for a visa issue,” Lee said. “Despite paying taxes and creating jobs just like native Koreans, immigrant entrepreneurs face numerous policy and administrative constraints in their business activities.”
The number of foreigners employed in Korea has reached an unprecedented level, with the majority earning between 2 million and 3 million won per month. (Image courtesy of Korea Bizwire)
The association’s membership includes many former foreign workers who overcame discrimination to achieve their “Korean Dream.” Notable examples include an immigrant entrepreneur who entered the country as an industrial trainee in the early 1990s and now records annual exports of $1 million, and a foreign business owner who employs over 280 Koreans in his wire coating manufacturing company.
A preparatory committee has already been formed to discuss the association’s future activities. The headquarters will be located in Myeongseo-dong, Uichang-gu, Changwon, a decision partly motivated by the desire to counteract the concentration of such organizations in the capital region.
MEAK plans to establish branches across the country, including Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. The association aims to support the business activities of immigrant entrepreneurs while also advocating for a society free from discrimination through government proposals and other initiatives.
Lee emphasized the changing perception of foreigners in Korean society. “In the past, our society viewed foreigners merely as providers of manual labor. But that’s no longer the case,” he said. “As Korea grapples with low birth rates and an aging population, immigrant entrepreneurs are emerging as a significant force. It’s time for a shift in how we perceive foreigners.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
