[Op-Ed] Immigration Is the Answer to Population Decline: Greater Openness and Diversity Needed

Population Decline, a Serious Factor Undermining National Competitiveness

Immigration Policy Is More Effective Than Birth Policy in Solving Population Problems

Population decline is a serious factor that undermines national competitiveness. The government responded to the problem of population decline with birth policies, and although it poured 380 trillion won in taxpayer money into them over 18 years starting in 2006, the birthrate fell to the 0.7 range. Low-birthrate policies have failed. This must be acknowledged, and the policy paradigm should be shifted to immigration.

Immigration can inject vitality into our society. According to research from the Australian National University, the inflow of skilled workers through immigration from various countries “strengthened technological competitiveness, made the labor market more flexible, and contributed to GDP growth.” Statistics Canada has also reported research showing that foreign workers had a positive impact on the economy by promoting population growth and driving consumption. Foreign workers in Korea are already revitalizing our economy by working in agriculture and manufacturing, sectors that Koreans tend to avoid.

Efforts must be made to help immigrants adapt to Korean society. Maladjustment among immigrants causes social problems. Sweden is one example. Once one of the safest countries in the world, Sweden has now seen public security deteriorate to the point of deploying the military. Even the United States, which has successfully established and maintained an immigration policy, is no exception. It is struggling with homelessness and gang-related problems. To maintain a stable society, we must consider ways to help immigrants assimilate into Korean culture.

Education is crucial to that end. When foreign workers first arrive in Korea, they may experience social and cultural confusion. Just as the government operates Hanawon to help North Korean defectors adapt to our society, there is a need for institutions that educate foreign workers so they can adjust to Korean society. Foreign workers should not be viewed simply as labor, but as people who can be assimilated as members of our society.

We also need a system that strengthens openness and diversity. The United States makes efforts such as holding community events where people can experience holidays from various countries. Through events that expose people to other cultures, children naturally encounter diverse cultures from an early age and develop a sense of diversity. We, too, should build an educational system for social integration by drawing on various examples.

A systematic immigration policy institution is needed. Representative examples include the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the immigration agencies of Canada and Australia. The United States, Canada, and Australia have successfully established and maintained immigration policies. Beyond these countries, OECD nations develop and implement professional and systematic immigration policies through dedicated immigration departments. We, too, must respond proactively to immigration issues by establishing an independent institution responsible for immigration-related laws and education.

The solution to population decline is immigration. To implement a professional and systematic immigration policy, an immigration agency should be established so that serious discussion can begin on various issues, including education and legal matters. The world is competing through immigration policy. Even the world’s strongest country, the United States, grew through immigration. We may be late, but we too must take the first step. Should we not quickly light a small lamp against the dark future of population decline?

Heonseok Ha, Intern Researcher, Center for Free Enterprise (CFE)

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Original title: [칼럼] 인구 감소 해결 방안은 '이민', 개방성과 다양성 강화 필요

Author: Heon-seok Ha

Date: 2024-09-11

Source: https://www.cfe.org/bbs/bbsDetail.php?cid=free_opinion&idx=26861