As life abroad was not the home they once imagined, many have demonstrated a strong desire to pull back to their roots. Reverse migration refers to the movement of individuals returning back to their countries of origin upon previously migrating away. Countries such as the United States, Canada, Germany, and Australia, once deemed as dream destinations for new opportunities in the minds of immigrants, have begun stimulating reverse migration patterns of returning to their home origin.
This has been no different in South Korea, where the country has been witnessing an increasing trend of migrants returning to their homeland after previously migrating away.
Generally, reasons for return have been reported due to a shift in perception: lifestyle and safety concerns such as high costs of living, economic incentives, and a desire for better healthcare and infrastructure are making South Korea a more attractive option. According to the Overseas Korean Agency (OKA), the number of Koreans resettling in South Korea after permanent residency abroad or long-term visas has drastically increased throughout recent years: 1478 migrants in 2019, 1676 in 2020, 1812 in 2021, 1736 in 2022, and 1742 in 2023.
Videos showcasing the experiences of returnees have recently surged in popularity. For example, Youtubers such as Konglish Bubu, an international couple based in Silicon Valley, have announced that they plan to relocate themselves to Korea next year upon retirement. Kongbu, the wife of the couple, shared that major cities in Korea offer convenient methods of transportation and closely located infrastructures. On the contrary, she found that everyday life in the U.S. was less practical and convenient, such as the fact that significant distances required extensive driving. Additionally, she found that economic instability within the states prevented her from living comfortably, with constant worries about the high cost of rent, taxes, maintenance, and dining out.
“Humans have a natural instinct to feel a sense of belonging in one’s homeland as they get older,” said Seol Dong-hoon, a sociology professor at Jeonbuk National University. As racism, gun violence, and anti-Asian hate crimes have become increasingly prevalent in the U.S., acceptance and belonging within individuals’ ancestral homeland have become much more desired. Kim Moon-kuk, a 72-year-old immigrant from Seoul to Los Angeles in 1985 with his family, had operated numerous businesses over the decades. However, he and his wife returned to South Korea in 2020, noting the plentiful benefits of his home country, including affordable healthcare, easier communication, and safety being “100% better”. He recalled the 1992 LA riots, where law enforcement and protection for shop owners and residents in Koreatown, like Kim, failed to exist.
Furthermore, economic motivations have also been reported to be a huge factor in relocation. Since 2011, the Ministry of Justice has been operating on a dual nationality system that permits Korean nationals abroad who are aged 65 or older to reclaim their Korean nationality and reside in Korea under the condition that they would not “exercise their rights as foreign nationals”. In other words, individuals of age would be able to enjoy the benefits and status of Korean citizenship as long as they would not participate in their foreign national privileges.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has reported that there has been approximately a ninefold increase of 21.2 billion won ($15.4 million) last year in basic pension granted to individuals with dual nationality compared to 2.28 billion won ($1.7 million) in 2014.
The trend of reverse migration in South Korea has demonstrated a dynamic of social, economic, and personal factors. Whether it is the country’s inviting atmosphere, evolving policies, and incentives, or opportunity for individuals to reconnect with their roots, such aspects have contributed significantly to the growing attraction of returnees seeking a better and fulfilling life. The reality of immigrant life has been more difficult than imagined, causing unexpected returns to the country they once left behind.
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