The Dong-gu district of Ulsan is taking steps to better accommodate its rapidly growing foreign population with new comprehensive support measures. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
ULSAN, March 24 (Korea Bizwire) — With South Korea’s shipbuilding industry experiencing its strongest boom in 15 years, the Dong-gu district of Ulsan is taking steps to better accommodate its rapidly growing foreign population with new comprehensive support measures.
The district council recently passed amendments to its foreign resident support ordinance, requiring the local government to develop, implement and evaluate annual support plans for its foreign community, which more than doubled from 4,550 in February 2023 to 9,688 in February 2025.
Dong-gu, home to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Mipo shipyards, is considered South Korea’s premier shipbuilding hub. The district’s economy and population flows have historically been closely tied to the cyclical nature of the shipbuilding industry.
The new ordinance significantly expands support services beyond the previous basic provisions of Korean language education and adaptation programs. Foreign residents will now have access to emergency relief, disaster response support, administrative services for business needs, and educational support for their children.
“These changes aim to provide more practical assistance beyond declaratory regulations, considering the rapidly changing circumstances of our foreign resident population,” said Lim Chae-yun, the district council member who introduced the amendments.
Under the new framework, local authorities will conduct regular surveys of the foreign population and assess environmental improvements needed in areas with high concentrations of foreign residents. The support plans will be finalized after review by a dedicated Foreign Residents Support Committee.
The ordinance will establish a comprehensive vision for foreign resident support, including specific goals, service provisions, and frameworks for cooperation with private organizations. It must still pass through the district’s ordinance and regulation review committee before implementation.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
