Anti-Multiculturalism and the Future Direction of Multicultural Education in the Context of South Korea: Contradictory Journeys

• In Event: Education for Cultural Diversity: Changing Policy and Curriculum Priorities in Volatile International Contexts

Abstract

This study is a critical exploration of the features and issues of anti-multiculturalism in Korean society as a response to ongoing challenges. Right-wing populism is on the rise across the world. The UK government decided to invoke Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union by the end of March 2017 to leave the EU. Donald Trump, the current president of the United States also clearly represents right-wing populism. Specifically, multiculturalism in Europe is being reconsidered on the basis of recent criticism, and this debate is attracting attention throughout Asia. Increasing numbers of Western countries that have become multicultural societies ahead of Korea are reversing their stance in favour of anti-multiculturalism policies.
In 2006, the Korean government officially declared that Korean society should reshape its policy to adjust for an increased flow of other nationals, which produced The First Basic Plan for Immigration Policy (2008-2012) from the Ministry of Justice. It could be stated that Korea started the policy from the necessity of importing labour force for economic growth, not a fundamental question of how to make a multicultural society. As a result, it could be stated that this new transnational labour force will effectively fill the gap in the labour force, and that international brides and workers have already played an important role in reshaping Korean society (Lim, 2010).
Although the Korean government has been aggressively conducting a multicultural integration policy, a growing anti-multicultural sentiment has been pushing to keep cultural homogeneity (Watson, 2010), looking to solve the economic and poverty gap, cultural conflicts, and the imbalanced benefits of social welfare (Kang, 2014). Also, some international residents in Korea have also indicated they do not believe Korea has a multicultural policy, and was less tolerant of multiculturalism than their countries of origin (Landsman et al., 2014). Therefore, this paper examines the features and issues of anti-multiculturalism and educational engagement in South Korea.
Data will be drawn from a literature review that will highlight issues related to national homogeneity and ‘white supremacy’ and the discrimination that has become common against international residents. Different date sources from media, politics, military and education sector will be critically examined in order to identify the specific characteristics of the Korean context that will interpreted against the background of the global context related to 'education for diverse communities'.
A shallow approach to multicultural education and liberal multiculturalism is a serious social problem. Koreans still hold stereotypes and prejudices toward migrants based on their backgrounds such as nationality, race, ethnicity and class. Migrants are usually considered as subjects of assimilation as well. These patterns and attitudes toward migrants need to be re-constructed. Thus this paper will contribute to re-designing multicultural education and enhancing Korean society’s awareness of multiculturalism.

Author

• Jinhee Kim, Korean Eductaion Development Institute