Have you ever felt frustrated by using a “foreigner” service that didn’t meet YOUR personal needs? Let’s talk about the issues around the term “foreigner” and how it may negatively impact programs designed so support diversity equity and inclusion in South Korea.
From One Foreigner to Another
First of all, I want to clearly state that I am a foreigner in Korea who has lived in Korea since 2011. I have volunteered to help design information and programming for foreign integration into rural Korea since 2015. Although I take no issue with being referred to as a “foreigner”, the term causes many issues within our wider society that may negatively impact society and integration. The following post represents my lived experience with the invisible impact of the term ‘foreigner’ on individuals and program planning. Let’s get into it.
Let’s Talk About the “Foreigner” in the Room
In South Korea, the term “foreigner” (외국인) is widely used in media, casual conversation, and official discourse. Despite its frequent use, the meaning and implications of the term are often misunderstood. The term carries legal, social, and cultural connotations that affect how individuals are perceived and treated within Korean society. This article explores the complexities behind the term “foreigner,” how it impacts policy and social integration, and why more precise language is essential for fostering inclusivity.
The Scope and Complexity of “Foreigner”
Although people labeled as “foreigners” in South Korea lead vastly different lives, they are often grouped under a single identity. This oversimplification ignores the diverse experiences, contributions, and challenges faced by different groups. As a result, public policies and services targeted at “foreigners” often fail to meet the specific needs of distinct populations.
Understand we, as foreigners, are complicity in the overuse of the term ‘foreigner.’ Therefore, take a moment to analyze our own biases as we consider the information presented in this post. This is something I like to do regularly.
Reflection Activity
Take a moment to reflect on how you define the term “foreigner.” When you hear the word, what kind of person do you imagine?
- What is their legal status?
- Where are they from?
- What language do they speak?
- Are they married?
- Do they work or study in Korea?
- How long have they lived in Korea?
- Do they look like you and have similar life experiences?
Understanding how personal assumptions shape the meaning of “foreigner” is essential for recognizing the limitations of the term in real-world contexts. Now we are ready to tackle the larger conversation.
Legal and Social Definitions of “Foreigner”
For those living in South Korea, the term “foreigner” has distinct legal, social, and cultural meanings, which may overlap in daily life and cause confusion. Recognizing these differences is key to understanding the complexities faced by international residents and multicultural families in South Korea.
Legal Definition
Under South Korean law, a “foreigner” is defined as anyone who does not hold South Korean citizenship. According to the Nationality Act (국적법), even individuals born in Korea or those who have lived in Korea for decades remain legally classified as foreigners unless they acquire South Korean citizenship through naturalization.
For example:
- A person born in Korea to foreign parents is legally a foreigner, even if they have lived in Korea their entire life.
- A long-term resident holding an F-5 (permanent residence) visa is legally a foreigner despite their long-standing presence in the country.
Social and Cultural Perceptions
In everyday conversation, the term oegugin (외국인) often carries social and cultural implications beyond legal status.
Examples include:
- Korean Americans who visit Korea may be called “foreigners” despite their Korean ethnicity.
- Naturalized citizens who hold South Korean passports may still be perceived as “foreigners” due to differences in appearance, language ability, or cultural background.
- Children of multicultural families may be referred to as “foreign” even if they were born and raised in Korea.
- Korean nationals raised in other countries who return to Korea as adults but don’t speak Korean or follow Korean customs may also be considered “foreigners.”
These examples highlight how social definitions of “foreigner” are shaped by ethnic and cultural markers rather than legal status.
How AI Defines “Foreigner” in Korea
To understand how the term “foreigner” is interpreted in digital spaces, let’s examine how artificial intelligence defines the term.
Google AI Definition
Google AI defines a “foreigner” in Korea as:
“Any person who does not possess the nationality of the Republic of Korea and who is legally staying in the country.”
While legally accurate, this definition overlooks key social and cultural dimensions, including:
- Foreigners living in Korea without legal status (e.g., undocumented workers).
- Naturalized citizens who are still perceived as “foreign” due to ethnic and cultural differences.
ChatGPT Definition
ChatGPT provides a more detailed definition, recognizing different categories of foreigners in Korea:
- Tourists – Visiting under a short-term visa.
- International Students – Studying at Korean universities on a student visa.
- Foreign Workers – Employed in Korea under work visas (e.g., E-2, E-7).
- Military Personnel – U.S. military members and their families.
- Marriage Migrants – Foreign spouses of Korean citizens residing in Korea under an F-6 visa.
- Naturalized Citizens – Individuals who have acquired South Korean citizenship but are socially perceived as foreigners.
- Long-term Residents – Individuals holding residence visas (e.g., F-2, F-5).
While more nuanced than Google’s definition, ChatGPT’s definition still fails to account for:
- Ethnic Koreans born overseas who hold Korean citizenship but are culturally seen as outsiders.
- The intersection of social, cultural, and legal identities.
How the Term “Foreigner” Shapes Policy and Society
Now that we better understand some of the legal, social, and cultural meanings of the term “foreigner” let’s explore how they impact diversity, equity, and inclusion programming in South Korea.
Oversimplifying Diverse Populations
The term “foreigner” lumps together individuals with vastly different legal statuses and cultural backgrounds. For example:
- A tourist visiting for a week and a long-term resident married to a Korean citizen are both called “foreigners.”
- A naturalized Korean citizen who speaks fluent Korean may still be treated as a foreigner.
This generalization leads to ineffective policies and programs. For instance, programs designed for tourists may not meet the needs of long-term residents or naturalized citizens. However, promotion and marketing for such programs imply they meet the needs of the entire “foreign” population.
Additionally, such a program may only offer English support when the majority of the “foreigner” population in Korea doesn’t speak English.
Reinforcing the “Outsider” Narrative
The term “foreigner” reinforces a sense of exclusion, even for individuals deeply integrated into Korean society.
- Multicultural families may feel marginalized when one parent is repeatedly labeled as “foreign.”
- Korean-born children of mixed heritage may struggle with identity when they are treated as perpetual outsiders.
This outsider narrative fosters a sense of alienation and limits social cohesion.
Ignoring Intersectional Identities
Korea’s growing multicultural population includes complex identities that are not fully captured by the term “foreigner.”
- 교포 (Gyopo): Ethnic Koreans born and raised abroad.
- 재외동포 (Jaeoe Dongpo): Overseas Koreans with foreign citizenship.
- 귀국자 (Guigukja): Returnees who were born in Korea, emigrated, and then returned.
- 다문화 가족 (Damunhwa Gajok): Multicultural families with one Korean and one non-Korean parent.
- 재한외국권적동포 (Jaehan Oeguk Gukjeok Dongpo): Foreign-national ethnic Koreans living in Korea.
Failing to account for these categories creates gaps in representation and services.
Impact on Government Programs and Services
Policies targeted at “foreigners” often overlook the diverse needs of this population.
- A job fair for “foreigners” may attract students, long-term workers, and marriage migrants — each with different employment needs.
- Housing programs designed for short-term residents may fail to meet the needs of permanent residents.
Limiting Research and Data Collection
Government and community organizations struggle to collect accurate data on international residents because of inconsistent definitions of “foreigner.”
- A naturalized citizen may be counted as Korean in one context and as a foreigner in another.
- Data on “multicultural families” may exclude children born to mixed-nationality parents if the foreign parent is naturalized.
Toward More Precise and Inclusive Language
Ideally, foreigners across South Korea take a leadership role in the community and lead the English language version of this conversation. Therefore, a few years ago I decided to be the change I want to see in the world. At South of Seoul, I established an initiative to move away from the term “foreigner” when possible in favor of more precise language such as:
- International residents
- SOFA status individuals (for U.S. military personnel)
- International citizens
This shift has improved communication and fostered a greater sense of belonging within the community. Recognizing the complexity of identity helps create more effective policies and programs.
Lanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert.
Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities.
Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea.
Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea.
When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains.
