Travelers wait in the security line at Incheon International Airport’s Terminal 1 on Sept. 26, ahead of the Chuseok holiday. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – According to a recent study, over the past five years, more than 17,000 South Koreans have chosen to relocate to other countries. The United States has emerged as the destination of choice, closely followed by Canada.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided data to the National Assembly, which is currently conducting a comprehensive national audit, revealing that between 2018 and 2022, a total of 17,664 individuals officially reported their decision to move abroad.
Among these people, the United States stood out as the favored destination, attracting 47.9 of the total, or 8,458 individuals. Canada ranked second, drawing in 20.1 percent of South Korean emigrants (3,552 people), followed by Australia (8 percent, 1,415), Japan (6.5 percent, 1,150), and New Zealand (4.1 percent, 722).
It is noteworthy that almost 80 percent of these emigrants selected English-speaking countries like the United States and Canada as their new homes. This preference can be attributed to various factors, including better opportunities for children’s education and careers, robust welfare systems, favorable weather conditions, and the established presence of Korean communities in these nations, facilitating a smoother transition.
Hwang Hee, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker, emphasized the need for national attention to this trend. He remarked, “In our increasingly globalized world, the rise in international migration is not surprising. However, it also reflects the challenges our society faces—fierce competition for survival, concerns about the future, and difficulties in expressing individuality.”
He further emphasized, “National concerns and strategies are essential to create high-quality jobs within Korea and to prevent the emigration of talented individuals.”
The statistics reveal that the number of South Koreans reporting their decision to move abroad was 6,664 in 2018. However, this figure declined to 4,412 in 2019 and plummeted to 1,941 in 2020, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, there was a slight rebound to 2,015 in 2021 and 2,632 in 2022.
Lastly, in terms of migration types, 14,725 individuals reported “local migration.” This refers to South Koreans leaving the country for purposes other than permanent emigration, with the intention of acquiring permanent residency or long-term resident status in another nation.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
