Directions for the Korean Social INTEGRATION Policy Index Development

Abstract

Purpose: As South Korea enters a multicultural society, the importance of a reasonable and effective social integration policy system has been emphasized. The evaluation of social integration policies can promote policy improvement and improve policy effects. The purpose of this study is to analyze the limitations of the application of MIPEX in the evaluation of the Korean social integration policy and to give suggestions about the developing direction of South Korea's social integration policy index. Method: This study starts with the MIPEX’s analysis of South Korea to understands the advantages and dis-advantages of Korean immigrant social integration policy. On the other hand, there are certain limits in MIPEX’s evaluation and practical application in South Korea, so by observation and analysis of MIPEX and comparison of integration policies of South Korea and other countries, suggestions are made for the development of a social integration policy index that meets the conditions of South Korea. Results: Although South Korea’s immigrant social integration policy is in a leading position in Asia especially in multicultural education area but compared to the Top countries in MIPEX, some improvement still need to be made. It was showing a trend of regression with increased difficulty in obtaining permanent residency. MIPEX's completely Europe-centered evaluation standards, ignoring illegal immigrants and only focusing on legal immi-grants, and ignoring the actual implementation of policies are all reasons for its limitations of application in South Korea. Conclusion: It is necessary to consider the conditions of South Korea and formulate policy indicators that conform to the society during the development of the Korean social integration policy index. The targets of the social integration policy should include all immigrants, and the actual implementation of the policy should be reflected in the evaluation. According to the specific conditions of the country, citizen participation, gender equality, and social security are policy elements that can be added to the index.