Busan Enhances Support for Multicultural and Foreign Families

Busan, May 14, 2024 — In a progressive move to foster greater integration and support for multicultural and foreign families, the city of Busan held an educational roundtable at the Asia Community School in Nam-gu district this morning. The event, which commenced at 10:30 AM, saw the participation of Mayor Park Hyung-jun, representatives from the city’s Education Office and Immigration Bureau, as well as academics and specialists from multicultural support centers.

The primary aim of the roundtable was to discuss and establish stronger collaborative ties between various stakeholders to support school-aged children from multicultural backgrounds. Key topics included strategies to help these children adapt to school life and improve their foundational learning skills.

Busan’s commitment to supporting the rapidly growing population of children from international marriages and foreign families is evident in its tailored support system, which addresses various growth stages. This system includes financial assistance for childcare expenses for children of foreign nationals, educational activity funds for low-income multicultural families, and expanded basic learning support to help children adapt to school life. Starting in 2025, the city plans to offer monthly childcare fee support ranging from 335,000 to 540,000 KRW. Additionally, annual educational activity funds will be provided, amounting to 400,000 KRW for elementary students, 500,000 KRW for middle school students, and 600,000 KRW for high school students.

The city also aims to increase community acceptance of multicultural families through various initiatives. The ‘Deullak Nallak’ multicultural experience center will offer programs that allow children to engage with and understand diverse cultural practices. Furthermore, global camps will be organized for multicultural youth, providing them opportunities for international exchanges and cultural tours, thereby fostering a sense of belonging and global awareness.

Today’s roundtable is Busan’s dedication to integrating multicultural and foreign residents into the societal mainstream. The city continues to listen to voices from the field, ensuring that policies are reflective of the real needs and challenges faced by these communities. Statistics presented at the meeting highlighted a steady increase in the number of school-aged children from multicultural families, reaffirming the necessity of focused educational initiatives. As of 2022, 62% of the 13,124 children from multicultural families in Busan are of school age, marking a significant rise over recent years.

Mayor Park emphasized the city’s commitment to inclusivity, stating that expanding tailored support for children of multicultural and foreign families will help nurture them into future global talents. This approach ensures that no one is left behind in Busan's pursuit of becoming a city where everyone wishes to live.