Interest in traditional Korean culture helped drive a record number of visitors to the four royal palaces, Jongmyo Shrine and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty in 2025. The photo shows foreign tourists and local residents visiting Gyeongbok Palace in Jongno District, Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 20 (Korea Bizwire) — As the number of long-term foreign residents in South Korea surpasses two million for the first time, public attitudes toward immigration remain cautious, with nearly half of Koreans saying the scale of the foreign population feels larger than expected, a new study shows.
According to a report released Monday by the Korea Immigration Policy Institute, 49.1 percent of respondents said the number of long-term foreign residents was “more than anticipated,” based on a nationwide government survey of 6,000 citizens conducted in 2024.
The perception was more pronounced among politically conservative respondents, 55.8 percent of whom viewed the foreign population as larger than expected, compared with 52.1 percent among those identifying as progressive.
As of the end of 2024, South Korea had roughly 2.04 million long-term foreign residents — about 4 percent of the registered population — marking the first time the figure exceeded two million since official tracking began.
When asked about whether the current number of immigrants was appropriate, 41.5 percent said it should be maintained at current levels. About 24.1 percent favored increasing immigration, while 21.5 percent said it should be reduced.
Views varied significantly depending on the type of migrant. Public acceptance was highest for professional workers, including researchers and skilled specialists, at 90 percent, followed by international students at 85.5 percent and nonprofessional laborers at 83.3 percent.
Acceptance fell sharply for ethnic Koreans from abroad and refugees, at 56.6 percent and 54.4 percent, respectively — a gap researchers attributed to uncertainty over their perceived social roles.
A woman reads a brochure for a job fair for foreign residents in South Korea in southern Seoul in this Nov. 20, 2025, file photo. (Yonhap)
Overall, 43.9 percent of respondents agreed that immigrants should be accepted as members of Korean society, while 40 percent expressed neutral views and 18.4 percent opposed the idea. Support was notably stronger among progressive respondents than conservatives.
When asked what immigrants must demonstrate to be recognized as Korean members of society, most respondents cited compliance with Korea’s laws and political system, respect for cultural traditions and proficiency in the Korean language. Nearly seven in 10 also said holding Korean nationality was important.
Despite mixed views, concerns about discrimination were widespread. More than 55 percent said immigrants face unequal treatment in Korean society. While 43.8 percent believed immigrants contribute positively to the economy, substantial shares also expressed anxieties about crime and job competition.
Researchers warned that the number of foreign workers is likely to continue rising as South Korea confronts labor shortages driven by rapid aging and persistently low birth rates.
Foreign migrant workers wearing Vietnam’s traditional conical hats, or non la, harvest potatoes in a rural village in Gangneung, Gangwon Province. (Yonhap)
“To ensure social stability, improving public acceptance of immigrants is essential,” the institute said, urging the government to expand integration measures such as Korean-language education, employment assistance and community settlement programs.
As South Korea’s demographic pressures deepen, the report suggests that immigration policy may increasingly test not only economic strategy but social cohesion as well.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
