Discourse and spatial segregation of foreign migrant workers in Korea

Abstract

This paper looks at the enclaves of different ethnicities and nationalities in the Seoul Metropolitan Region and in rural areas with a focus on discourse of crime in spatial concentrations of low-income foreign migrants, including the Korean-Chinese enclaves. By examining the characteristics and changing spatial concentrations of select foreign enclaves over a ten-year period, it draws on segregation theories to argue that social problems need to be addressed at an early stage. In Korea, there were more than 2 million foreign long-term residents in 2016, which amounts to 3.9% of the total population. While the majority (65%) live in the Seoul Metropolitan Region, many also live in rural areas. In view of the fact that foreigners are expected to number more than 3 million by 2021, it is becoming increasingly important to that all foreign residents are treated with equity and be socially included. However, surveys consistently indicate that native Koreans regard foreigners who live in low-income areas as being suspect of illegal residency and being associated with crime. This paper notes the negative discourse towards foreigners and low-income migrants and its negative impact on migrants. At the same time, it shows the growing spatial segregation between foreign enclaves and the Korean residential areas. If Korea’s objective is to become a more diverse and inclusive country, negative discourse towards foreigners need to be assessed for validity, while policies to prevent ethnically and class-defined spatial separation in both the urban and rural contexts are required before they become consolidated.