Number of Koreans who have immigrated abroad in 2003 is 9,509 and this record has decreased by 18% compared to 2002. Immigration declarations per country in order are Canada (4,613), America (4,200), New Zealand (435), Australia (256) and other countries (5). Immigration per form is 4,364 with Employment Based Immigrant Visas, 2,529 were personally invited, 1,496 are investors and 1,120 have gone abroad by international marriage. 
Immigration tendency for the past decade has been in a slow flow and also decreasing. Main reasons are because Korea’s economic level has largely improved and immigration incentives have reduced than in the past. Major immigration countries have also strengthened immigration requirements (ex: Canada and New Zealand requires English abilities) and this down flow is expected to continue for the time being. 
On the other hand, foreign aliens who have denizened in Korea have added up to 13,389, which have increased by 19% compared to 2002. By country, 8,212 Americans, 2,481 Japanese, 1,045 Canadians, 692 Australians, 552, 136 Hong Kong immigrants and so on. 
Among local immigrants, aliens who have stayed in Korea for a long time without performing formalities (for studying, employment and visit reasons) have declared denizenship and became Korean citizens. (Computation became possible computerization since 2002) 

Korean immigration method of strengthening immigration requirements and indirection of official declaration procedures due to national employment stagnation and other reasons will continue for the time being. 
In addition, Korean immigrants who have canceled their denizenship and returned to their mother country has numbered 3,676, which has reduced by 16% from 2002’s total. Those from America total 1,927, Canada 524, Central and South America countries 464, New Zealand 121, Australia 50 and 590 from other countries have returned to their homeland due to difficulties in adapting to new environments, unemployment, age, divorcement, health and school entrance. 
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, February 10, 2004