There are numerous reports and studies indicating that racial discrimination and xenophobia exist in South Korea, and they often target people from other Asian countries.
Key points from the research include:
- Prevalence of Discrimination: A 2019 survey by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea found that 68.4% of foreign residents in South Korea reported experiencing racial discrimination.
- Targeting and Hierarchy: Overt racist attitudes are reportedly more commonly expressed towards immigrants from poorer Asian countries, Latin America, and Africa. Discrimination is often linked to the perceived economic status of the immigrant’s country of origin, with a “hierarchical nationhood” framework sometimes applied.
- Specific Examples (Other Asians):
- Immigrants from Southeast Asian countries (like Vietnam and the Philippines) have reported facing discrimination, being stereotyped, and sometimes being treated as second-class citizens, often in contexts related to marriage or labor migration.
- People of Chinese descent (including Korean Chinese, or Joseonjok) have also reported significant discrimination and xenophobia, sometimes being linked to crime-related fears.
- Even co-ethnic diaspora migrants are sometimes “hierarchized” based on their national origin.
- Underlying Factors: Experts suggest that South Korea’s long-standing emphasis on ethnic homogeneity and a strong sense of ethno-nationalism contributes to prejudice against those who are not considered “pure” Koreans, making it difficult for the country to fully embrace a multicultural identity.
- Lack of Anti-Discrimination Law: South Korea has repeatedly been recommended by the UN Human Rights Committee to enact a comprehensive anti-discrimination law, but attempts have faced obstacles and stalled, which is seen as a contributing factor to the persistence of discrimination.