Kim Byungsoo, Mayor of Gimpo: "Let's Build a Society Where Migrant Background Youth Can Pursue Their Dreams"

National Multicultural City Council Holds Policy Forum at the National Assembly
Policy Proposals for "Building Cities Where Migrant Background Youth Can Dream of Their Future"
"The Future of a Multicultural Society: Education and Self-Reliance of Migrant Background Youth Are the Key"
Number of Students Decreasing, Migrant Background Youth Increasing... Discussion on Solutions for Tailored Education

The National Multicultural City Council (Chairman: Kim Byungsoo, Mayor of Gimpo) held a policy forum on the theme of "Building Cities Where Migrant Background Youth Can Dream of Their Future" with experts from various fields at Meeting Room 1 of the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido on the 12th.

On the 12th, the "National Multicultural City Council Policy Forum" for migrant background youth was held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido. Provided by Gimpo City

This forum, co-hosted by the National Multicultural City Council, the Korea Immigration Policy Institute, and the National Youth Policy Institute, and co-organized by the office of Assemblyman In Yohan, brought together over 100 experts from academia, the Ministry of Justice, and education offices. The forum featured heated discussions and policy proposals on topics such as the future direction of education for migrant background youth, the responsibilities of local governments for their settlement and self-reliance, the establishment of pipelines to help them realize their potential, and the challenges of Korean society and education in closing educational gaps.

Assemblyman In Yohan (People Power Party), who co-organized the forum, stated, "I applaud Mayor Kim of Gimpo for consistently carrying out such good work," and added, "Let us all work together so that embracing multicultural families can lay the foundation for Korean reunification by fostering acceptance of North Korea."

Kim Byungsoo, Mayor of Gimpo and Chairman of the National Multicultural City Council, said in his opening remarks, "We have been holding this forum at the National Assembly for three consecutive years to raise awareness of multicultural families."

He continued, "Migrant background youth are unable to fully realize their potential due to language, cultural, and institutional barriers, which directly affect their career exploration and capacity for independence. Let us join forces to create a society where migrant background youth can pursue their dreams without discrimination."

Assemblyman Kim Jooyoung (Democratic Party of Korea) stated, "I congratulate and thank everyone for opening a forum to discuss multicultural policy," and emphasized, "We must shed outdated identities and embrace multicultural families as members of our society."

Assemblyman In Yohan is hosting the "National Multicultural City Council Policy Forum" for migrant background youth on the 12th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido. Photo by Gimpo City

Assemblyman Kim Yongtae (People Power Party) said in his congratulatory remarks, "While the number of domestic students is decreasing, the number of migrant background youth continues to grow and has surpassed 20%. The need for tailored education and bilingual education for these students is increasing." He added, "I hope that solutions to the issues faced by migrant background youth will be found through today's forum."

Meanwhile, the National Multicultural City Council is a coalition of 28 member cities where foreign residents account for more than 3% of the population or exceed 10,000 individuals. In November 2022, Kim Byungsoo, Mayor of Gimpo, was inaugurated as the sixth chairman. Since taking office, Mayor Kim has actively promoted initiatives related to foreign residents, including holding meetings with diplomatic envoys in Korea and policy forums at the National Assembly, as well as strengthening cooperation with central government ministries.

In addition, the council continues its efforts to share and address foreign resident policy issues among member cities, and is working to establish socially integrative migration policies based on this collaboration.