Searching for the Constitutional Integration Policy of Korea on the Path to a Multicultural Society

Abstract

In recent years, South Korea, practically turning into a multicultural society, has faced the tasks to improve treatment of foreigners and integrate them into Korean society successfully as the number of immigrant workers and marriage immigrants rapidly increases. Korean government has, basically, adhered to assimilation as an integration policy for aliens, instead of multiculturalism, who reside or intend to live in this country. It seems that Korean Constitution is silent as to the matter of integration policy, multicultural society, and multiculturalism. However, the Constitution has functioned as integrating value system of the society, and therefore constitutional implications for integration policy of foreigners can be found through basic spirit of the Constitution as well as fundamental principles and rights in the Constitution. Korean Constitution is to be interpreted to recognize and expect the possibility of multicultural society. For the Constitution is the value system of and for the integration of the political community, it should be applied to foreigners residing in Korea, who at the same time are minorities in this society. As factors to be considered for the integration policy of them, tolerance, protection of minorities, equality and diversity or multiculturalism can be inferred from the principle of democracy, fundamental principles and rights in Korean Constitution.