Gyeonggi Province has successfully lured IOM’s new international organization, the Migration Policy Research Institute, to the province.

Governor Kim Moon-soo met with Minister of Justice Chung Sung-jin and Secretary General Brunson McKinley of IOM at 11 a.m. on the 19th at the Seoul Hyatt Hotel to sign an MOU regarding the establishment of the Migration Policy Research Institute. 

The Migration Policy Research Institute will be a new affiliated organization established by the world-renowned international immigration support organization, the IOM (International Organization for Migration). The institution will carry out tasks such as managing immigrant social adjustment education programs, conducting research and education on global immigration, creating a cooperation network for the co-development of immigration policies in Asian regions, and indicating desirable future directions for immigration policies, to positively influence social, economic and cultural development.

According to the MOU, the three parties will create an establishment preparation committee, work together to conclude a ‘2008 Research Institute Establishment Agreement’, strengthen establishment foundations, seek directions and feasibility for education programs in operation, and share material and information on global immigration policies.

By inducing the Migration Policy Research Institute to be established in Gyeonggi Province, the province has an opportunity to acquire expertise in the organization and operation of international institutions that play a major role in conducting research on the development of policy for education regarding global immigration. It will also be an opportunity to enhance the international reputation of Gyeonggi Province as ‘Worldwide Gyeonggi’, and promote the development of international citizens in the province.

Governor Kim remarked, “30 percent of the 720 thousand foreign residents of Korea are situated in Gyeonggi Province. Since the majority of foreign workers live in Gyeonggi, workers who are one of the key foundations of the Korean economy, we must think of ways that we can live together in harmony.”

He also emphasized his hope that Gyeonggi Province will be an exemplary success case for the world to share, through the in-depth research conducted by IOM researchers.

The Research Institute will be set up in Western Tower beside Lake Park in Janghang-dong, on the west side of Ilsan within Goyang City, in early 2009. This area has a great deal of future development potential, as KINTEX, Chinatown, Goyang Aram Nuri, and the Justice Area are clustered together here to form an international business and culture area, with some residential sections.

The Center will officially open in early 2009, after going through some initial processes such as forming an establishment preparation committee, conducting the basic steps of construction and operating immigration policy courses for executives on a trial basis. 

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[ Governor’s Greetings]
There are currently 220 thousand foreign residents living in Gyeonggi Province, which is 2% of the total Gyeonggi population of 11 million. This also means that 30% of the total 720 thousand foreign residents of Korea are living in Gyeonggi Province. As Gyeonggi Province has so many foreign residents, who are one of the firm foundations of our economy, we must seek ways to live in harmony. There are also 10 thousand foreigners who live in Goyang City, where the IOM affiliate institution is to be established.

Even though we may want to host and support our foreign residents, and give them a warm welcome, this is sometimes not easy, due to a lack of experience and specific expertise. The establishment of the IOM Research Institute in Gyeonggi Province is sure to act as a great support system for foreigners, and also for Gyeonggi Province.

It is my hope that the IOM Research Institute will conduct a great deal of specific research on actual case studies, and that this will result in an achievement that will be known around the world. Our effort to support foreigners with a warm heart comes from our history of colonization, as well as from the fact that 7 million of our own people live abroad.

When we consider the fact that the number of Koreans living abroad is more than ten times the number of foreigners who live in Korea, it makes one realize that if we want Koreans to be welcomed in their new lives abroad, we need to show an equal amount of hospitality to foreigners living here in Korea.

Gyeonggi Province promises to give the best administrative and financial support it can for the establishment and operation of IOM Research Institute. We sincerely welcome you here.

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