Korea to Get ‘Cultural Diversity Day’

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward has sparked great interest in biracial people among Koreans. But not every biracial person is as lucky as Ward. Korea has more than 700,000 registered non-Korean residents.

Reflecting this reality, the Korean government is considering designating a “Cultural Diversity Day” to encourage the nation to be more embracing of non-Korean residents.

At an immigration policy forum on March 29, the Ministry of Justice began work establishing a national day for foreign residents.

The ministry plans to establish and announce the day in May or June after consulting with other ministries, including the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs.

Immigration Bureau Director Kang Myeong-deuk emphasized that the designation of a Cultural Diversity Day is an opportunity to raise people’s awareness of issues regarding foreign residents living in Korea, whose number is expected to surpass one million by 2010.

The Ministry of Justice introduced some examples of foreigners’ day in other countries. UNESCO, since designating May 21 as “World Cultural Diversity Day” in 2002, is recommending countries to implement related programs. Canada celebrates “Canadian Multiculturalism Day” on June 27, while the U.K. designates the fourth Saturday of May as “Cultural Diversity Day.”

Among others, Australia’s “National Harmony Day” on March 21 is regarded by the Justice Ministry as a good example for Korea’s foreigners’ day to model after.

“In case of Australia, not only the government but also private organizations and educational institutions are active in holding various academic forum and events to promote harmony between the locals and foreign residents. We hope the same thing will happen in Korea with the introduction of foreigners’ day,” said an official at the Ministry of Justice.

Peter Rowe, Australian Ambassador to Korea, willingly provided advices on this matter. At a forum organized by the Justice Ministry, he said that 5,000 cultural and academic events were held last year in Australia supported by multinational companies, sports organizations and schools, and those events helped Australians learn about the economic and social benefits of being a multicultural society.

Joining Rowe, Bangladesh and the Philippines embassies in Korea will also send their letter of support to the Korean government soon.

Jung-Ahn Kim credo@donga.com