On September 19, 2025, Gyeonggi Province became the first government body in South Korea, at either the national or local level, to enact three ordinances all at once that institutionally protect the human rights of migrants and refugees. The ordinances prohibit discrimination based on skin color or country of origin, support refugees’ basic living needs, and protect the rights of foreign children who were born in Korea but have no official records.
Background
Korean society is already changing rapidly into a multicultural, multi-immigrant society. Until now, however, there was no local-level legal basis that directly addressed the human rights of migrants and refugees. In June 2025, Gyeonggi Province launched a “Private Promotion Committee for Migrant Human Rights Protection” to gather voices from the field. That September, all three ordinances were passed together at the plenary session of the 386th Extraordinary Session of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly.
This is the first time any local government in the country has institutionally established a foundation of inclusion and human rights at the provincial level.
The Three Ordinances: Key Contents
1. Gyeonggi Province Ordinance on Prohibition of Racial Discrimination and Human Rights Protection for Residents with a Migration Background
This ordinance ensures that all migrants receive equal rights regardless of skin color, country of origin, language, or cultural background. It establishes systems for preventing discrimination and providing relief to victims, along with regular surveys, public outreach, and education.
Key provisions:
- Creating a system for preventing racial discrimination and providing relief to victims
- Conducting regular surveys on racial discrimination and human rights violations
- Carrying out public outreach and education for migrants
- Establishing the Gyeonggi Province Committee on Prohibition of Racial Discrimination and Human Rights Protection
- Making it mandatory to develop a basic plan for human rights protection, ensuring the programme continues over the long term
After this ordinance took effect, Gyeonggi Province launched the country’s first survey on racial discrimination against migrants. The Gyeonggi Province Immigration and Social Integration Support Center is leading the effort. The survey targets 400 people, long-term foreign residents (those who have stayed 90 days or more) and naturalized citizens aged 19 or older who live or work in Gyeonggi Province.
2. Gyeonggi Province Ordinance on Protection of Refugee Human Rights and Guarantee of Basic Living
This ordinance creates a legal basis for supporting refugees, including asylum seekers and humanitarian stay permit holders, so they can meet their basic needs while living in Gyeonggi Province.
Key provisions:
- Establishing support for housing, education, healthcare, and employment, among other daily needs
- Setting up a Refugee Support Policy Advisory Committee
- Providing emergency living allowances
- Offering medical and psychological counselling services
- Supporting job-seeking and business start-ups
3. Gyeonggi Province Ordinance on Finding and Supporting Unregistered Foreign Children
This ordinance is aimed at locating foreign children who were born in Korea but were never registered, meaning they have no official records, and connecting them to basic services and protections.
Key provisions:
- Formalising an official verification procedure and a certificate issuance system for unregistered children
- Guaranteeing access to basic services such as healthcare, childcare, and education
- Building a cooperative framework among administrative, educational, childcare, and child welfare agencies
Sponsoring Assembly Members
| Ordinance | Sponsoring Member | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinance on Prohibition of Racial Discrimination and Human Rights Protection for Residents with a Migration Background | Yoo Ho-jun | Democratic Party of Korea |
| Ordinance on Protection of Refugee Human Rights and Guarantee of Basic Living | Yoo Ho-jun | Democratic Party of Korea |
| Ordinance on Finding and Supporting Unregistered Foreign Children | Lee In-ae | People Power Party |
It is particularly meaningful that members from both the ruling and opposition parties sponsored these ordinances together.
The Private Promotion Committee for Migrant Human Rights Protection, launched in June 2025, also participated directly in drafting the ordinances, ensuring that real-world experiences from the field were built into the final text.
What Comes Next
Gyeonggi Province has announced plans to move quickly on follow-up steps after the ordinances were officially promulgated:
- October 28, 2025: A forum titled “Strengthening Migrant Human Rights Protection” will be held at the National Assembly Members’ Hall in Seoul. The forum will share the significance of the ordinances and discuss ways to spread immigrant policy and social integration programmes across the whole country.
- Launch of the Gyeonggi Province Committee on Prohibition of Racial Discrimination and Human Rights Protection
- Conducting the migrant racial discrimination survey and building a supporting policy framework
The head of Gyeonggi Province’s Immigration and Society Policy Division stated: “These ordinances are not merely a set of rules, they are a social promise that both residents and migrants can coexist without discrimination.”
Where to Get Help
The specific support available under these ordinances, how to apply, and when things will be implemented may vary by agency and change over time. Before applying for anything, please check directly through the channels below for the most up-to-date information.
- Gyeonggi Province Immigration and Society Policy Division: www.gg.go.kr
- Gyeonggi Province News Portal (press releases and notices): gnews.gg.go.kr
- Immigration Contact Center (1345): 1345 (available 24 hours, multilingual service)