Immigration To South Korea - International Marriage

International Marriage

"International marriage" (국제결혼) has grown rapidly in South Korea since the late 1990s, and is especially common in rural farming communities. Most brides come from China (approximately 60%, mostly ethnic Koreans in China), followed by Vietnam and other East Asian countries. In addition, a smaller number of South Korean women marry foreign husbands; with husbands from China also leading in this category, followed by Japan. In 2005, there were 31,180 marriages between South Korean men and non-Korean women; there were 11,941 marriages between South Korean women and non-Korean men. Together, these account for more than 10% of the total number of marriages in 2005: 316,375. However this number has dropped significantly, and now represent less than 10% of total marriages in South Korea. Most foreign brides enter South Korea for economic reasons and divorces between Korean men and foreign brides make up 40% of Korea's total divorce rate.

A Kosian or Onnurian is a person of mixed Korean father and other Asian mother, or a family which mixes Korean and other Asian cultures. The term, Kosian was first coined in 1997 by intercultural families to refer to themselves,. The term is most commonly applied to children of a South Korean father and a Southeast Asian mother; its use spread in the early 2000s as international marriages became more common in rural areas.

The term "Kosian" is considered offensive by some who prefer to identify themselves or their children as Korean, Mixed-race Koreans have asked the media to refrain from using 'Kosian'. Moreover, the Korean office of Amnesty International has claimed that the word "Kosian" represents racial discrimination.

Such children currently make up only 0.5% of children born in South Korea.

According to Pearl S. Buck International, there are approximately 30,000 mixed-race children in South Korea. Mixed-race children often face discrimination.