Asia & Oceania

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An intergovernmental organization established in 1951, IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.

  • 146 Members and 98 observers
  • More than 450 field locations
  • More than 7,800 staff working on more than 2,700 projects
  • More than US$ 1.3 billion expenditures in 2011

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Republic of Korea 

Facts and Figures

IOM Member State since 1988

Capital: Seoul
Population (2011): 48.4 million
Area: 99,720 km sq
Language: Korean
Currency: Korean Won (KRW)
GDP per Capita PPP (2010): USD 29,004
HDI Rank (2011): 15 of 187
Remittances (2011 estimate): USD 9,257 million
Population under 15 (2011): 16.1%
Adult HIV Prevalence (2009): <0.1%

 Map, Republic of Korea
 

Latest News

 

Overview

Migration Activities

Migration issues in the Republic of Korea have diversified as the country has become one of the major destination countries for various types of migrants, most of who are from other Asian countries. There are a few newly emerging issues such as: the protection and social integration of marriage migrants from mainly South-East Asian countries such as Viet Nam, Philippines, and Cambodia, in addition to managing labour migration flows and reducing the problems associated with irregular migration and trafficking in persons. Also the recent growth of North Korean populations within the Republic of Korea is significant.

In 2010, IOM will focus on assisting the Government of Korea in its efforts to improve migration management by: a) providing training opportunities to strengthen the network of psychosocial support for North Korean migrants; b) operating Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programmes for nationals overseas with an irregular status; and c) conducting pre-departure orientation programmes for Korea-bound migrants. Other stakeholders such as migrants, civil society partners, and the general public will also benefit from various migration management training and campaigns. IOM's previous counter-trafficking and labour migration-related activities will be strengthened and expanded.

IOM will maintain and strive to enhance the strong cooperation established with the Ministries of Justice, Labour, Gender Equality, Welfare, and Foreign Affairs, as well as the National Human Rights Commission. IOM's newly developed relationship with the Ministry of Unification and its research institute, the Korea Institute for National Unification, will also be fortified through the proposed project activities.

 

Regulating Migration

Counter Trafficking. The project entitled "A Review of Trafficking among North Koreans" is an investigation into the migration experience of North Koreans who have resettled in South Korea. The results suggest the significance of the need for psychosocial intervention for North Korean resettlers with traumatic experiences

"Psychosocial Support for North Korean Resettlers in South Korea" will contribute to meeting this identified psychosocial need through:

  • enhancing the capacity of South Korean psychologists, psychiatrists and other health professionals on psychosocial assistance;
  • building a referral system among the traumatized individuals and these psychosocial professional groups by providing psychosocial training to primary assistants who will act as mediators; and
  • publishing a psychosocial manual tailored to this group.

Projects

  • A Review of Trafficking among North Koreans
  • Psychosocial Support for North Korean Resettlers in South Korea

Last updated:
Main text: June 2010
Facts and figures: May 2012