○ Efforts to streamline the support system by consolidating the work of foreigner support organizations in Gyeonggi Province

The Gyeonggi Institute of Research and Policy Development for Migrants’ Human Rights (GMHR), which operates under the Gyeonggi Provincial Government, announced on March 7 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Gyeonggi Migrants’ Welfare Center Directors Council and the Gyeonggi Regional Multicultural Family Support Center to build a support system for migrants.

The GMHR is an organization focusing on four key areas: protection of rights, promotion of foreign residents’ interests, policy development, and network expansion. The center promotes various activities aimed at enhancing the rights and welfare of foreign residents.

The Gyeonggi Migrants’ Welfare Center Directors Council, which is participating in this MOU, is a cooperative body formed by welfare support centers for foreign residents run by nine local governments, including Yongin City. The council develops and supports policies such as medical assistance, livelihood consultation, and talent development to help foreign residents settle in the region. The Gyeonggi Regional Multicultural Family Support Center supports the smooth settlement and social adaptation of marriage migrants and multicultural families through education, counseling, employment support, child education, and cultural programs. A total of four centers operate across the region.

Until now, migrant support tasks have been carried out individually by different organizations, which limited the effectiveness of their responses. This MOU aims to overcome the limitations of the existing system and provide comprehensive responses to the diverse and complex needs of migrants.

Key areas of cooperation include: building a counseling network and jointly developing policies; enhancing the capacity of staff members; conducting joint investigations and forums; and enhancing the status of organizations and staff members.

Through this MOU, the GMHR plans to expand its functions, including livelihood counseling, connecting support programs, and creating networks, by establishing an administrative platform for migrants. The center plans to transition to the Gyeonggi Comprehensive Support Center for Foreign Residents (tentatively named) by the first half of the year.

Gyeonggi Province Director General of Immigration and Social Affairs Kim Won-kyu said, “We hope that each center will share their individual experiences and regional characteristics, and work together to help Gyeonggi Province lead immigrant society through the power of cooperation.”

Gyeonggi Province plans to collect the opinions of immigrants and develop policies for mutual growth to create an inclusive immigrant community model that realizes the values of diversity and equality.