Migrant workers find a welcoming home in smalltown Korea

Kobiljon, a 42-year-old migrant worker to Korea from Uzbekistan, shared his New Year’s wish over a glass of beer on Dec. 27, 2025 — to play a song on the guitar that sounded like rain falling on his hometown.

2026-01-19

Acceptance versus resentment: Two immigrant areas in Korea tell contrasting tales

Yeongam County in South Jeolla placed among the highest-ranked regions nationwide for immigrant acceptance. At the other end of the scale stood Jeju, which recorded an acceptance score of 52.1, among the lowest in the country.

2026-01-19

Immigrant teenagers, Korean teachers face challenges as classrooms grow more diverse

The “Wind Class” is a preparatory class designed to help teenagers who have recently arrived in Korea after spending their early years abroad transition into the Korean public education system.

2026-01-18

'Migrant background' population climbs to 5.2% of all people in Korea

Korea counted 2.71 million people with a migrant background as of Nov. 1 last year, new government statistics showed Monday, meaning that about one in 20 residents fell into the category.

2025-12-08

Illegal migrants to face clothing and mouth searches for phones at British ports

Police in Britain will be able to require illegal migrants to remove their coats and allow mouth searches at British ports so officers can look for mobile phones or SIM cards and gather intelligence on their journey, the government said on Monday.

2025-12-02

4 dead after boat believed to be ferrying migrants into U.S. capsizes off San Diego

A wooden skiff believed to have been ferrying migrants toward the United States capsized in stormy seas near San Diego, leaving at least four people dead and four hospitalized, the Coast Guard said Saturday.

2025-11-16

Migrant worker dies in apparent fall during immigration raid

A foreign migrant worker died after falling while attempting to evade an immigration raid at a factory in Seongseo Industrial Complex, Daegu, labor groups said Wednesday.

2025-10-29

Gyeonggi passes local laws to ban racial discrimination, ensure refugee rights, recognize undocumented children

Gyeonggi has enacted three local ordinances that ban racial discrimination, institutionally guarantee the rights of refugee applicants and help undocumented children of foreign nationals — a first for any government in Korea, central or local.

2025-09-22

Ulsan residents start petition against foreign shipyard worker program

Residents in Ulsan’s Dong District — home to major shipyards including HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Hyundai Mipo — have launched a petition opposing the expansion of a regional visa program for the shipbuilding industry.

2025-09-17

Government safety measures raise concerns for migrant workers facing job insecurity

Migrant workers are among the first to lose jobs as Korea’s construction sites fall silent.

2025-09-15

korea joongAng daily