1️⃣ Why the Staff Expansion and Reform are Necessary
Launched in June 2023 to fulfill the wishes of 7.5 million overseas Koreans, the Overseas Koreans Agency has faced the reality of a staff shortage. Initially, the quota was only 151, which many pointed out was insufficient to process petitions and establish policies for compatriots scattered globally. In particular, as permanent returns of aging first-generation compatriots increase and the number of compatriots staying in Korea exceeds 1 million, the demand for 'Domestic Settlement Support' has grown exponentially.
Accordingly, after consultations with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the OKA has carried out staff expansion and organizational reform. This is not just about increasing the number of civil servants; it is an essential measure to systematically care for Sakhalin Koreans, Koryoin (ethnic Koreans from post-Soviet states), and returning compatriots who wish to spend their later years in their motherland. OKA is now evolving beyond 'Civil Petition Services' into a 'Total Care' organization.
2️⃣ Core Analysis of OKA's Transformation
The core of this reform can be summarized as 'Strengthening Field Presence' and 'Eliminating Blind Spots.' Rather than just creating policies behind a desk, dedicated staff will be reinforced to solve the actual difficulties compatriots face. Notably, the scale of the staff expansion at the Overseas Koreans Agency is being discussed at around 40 additional personnel, who will primarily be deployed to improve domestic settlement support and petition services.
- Strengthening Dedicated Settlement Departments: The control tower providing lifestyle-oriented services such as housing, medical care, and education by integrating previously dispersed settlement support tasks will be strengthened.
- Protecting Vulnerable Compatriots: Support for returning compatriots with historical uniqueness, such as Sakhalin Koreans and atomic bomb victims, will become more robust.
- Expanding Next-Generation Networks: Additional personnel will manage education and mentoring programs to help overseas Korean youth and young adults in Korea adapt well and grow into global talents.
3️⃣ Specific Changes in Settlement and Return Support
Expansion of Housing and Medical Welfare Services
'Housing' is the biggest challenge for returning compatriots. As part of strengthening Domestic Settlement Support, the provision of information linked to public rental housing for elderly compatriots returning permanently will be activated. Furthermore, guidance on health insurance enrollment and medical interpretation services for those not fluent in Korean will be enhanced, significantly improving medical accessibility.
Enhanced Job Placement and Startup Support
Economic independence is a prerequisite for settlement. Returning Compatriot Support policies go beyond simple welfare; they focus on job matching that utilizes the language skills and global experience of compatriots. OKA is expanding staff to hold customized job fairs in cooperation with related agencies like the Ministry of Employment and Labor and provide legal and tax consulting for those wishing to start businesses in Korea.
Completion of One-Stop Petition Services
The inconvenience of having to visit multiple agencies for visas (F-4, etc.), nationality restoration, and tax issues will disappear. Through the OKA Organizational Reform, the functions of the Integrated Petition Center will be significantly strengthened, and the number of professional counselors at the 24/7 call center will increase. A system is being built where all necessary administrative procedures can be guided in one place immediately upon arrival in Korea.
4️⃣ Practical Usage and Action Guide for Returning Compatriots
- Utilize the Overseas Koreans 365 Service Center: Consult in advance about any questions before entering Korea via +82-2-6747-0404. Staffing increases have reduced wait times and improved expertise.
- Book a Visit to the 'Overseas Koreans Service Support Center': Visiting the integrated petition office in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, allows you to receive consultations from experts in nationality, visas, taxes, and pensions all at once.
- Check Regional Settlement Support Programs: OKA operates specialized regional programs in cooperation with local governments. Check if there are support programs linked to Multicultural Family Support Centers or Foreign Resident Support Centers in your intended area of residence.
2️⃣ Key Insight: Changes in 'Quality of Life,' Not Just Numbers
The staff expansion at the Overseas Koreans Agency should not be seen as a mere increase in the number of civil servants. It is a symbolic event showing that the Korean government has shifted its perception of overseas Koreans from 'subjects of management' to 'neighbors to live together with.'
Paradigm Shift from Administrative Convenience to 'Successful Settlement'
While past policies focused on administrative procedures like visa issuance or immigration management, the reinforced organization focuses on the 'Quality of Life' so that compatriots can take root and live happily in Korean society. This provides a comfortable retirement for first-generation compatriots returning in an aging era and a foundation for new opportunities for the next generation.
Benefits for Returning Compatriots
By providing integrated housing, education, and medical information that previously had to be researched individually, trial and error and costs in the early stages of settlement can be drastically reduced. This leads to psychological stability and enables successful reverse immigration.
Building a Win-Win Model with Local Communities
Staff expansion serves as a link to strengthen cooperation with local governments. Provincial cities facing population decline are active in attracting returning compatriots, and OKA will play the role of a control tower to coordinate and support this.
Key Points for Readers
Beyond government support, efforts by compatriots themselves to integrate as members of the local community are necessary. Actively participating in community activities using the reinforced support system as a stepping stone is the key to long-term successful settlement.
5️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
💡 Practical Tip
When visiting the Overseas Koreans Service Support Center, making an online reservation in advance allows for in-depth consultation with experts (tax accountants, judicial scriveners, etc.) without wait times. Advance reservations are especially essential for complex inheritance or gift issues.
⚠️ Important Reminders
Recently, illegal brokers claiming to support settlement for overseas Koreans while demanding fees have been active. All official consultation and guidance services of the OKA are provided free of charge, so please avoid suspicious agencies and always use official channels.
6️⃣ Closing Message
The OKA's organizational reform and staff expansion are not just administrative news. It is a warm message of welcome and a practical preparation from South Korea to those who have lived abroad for a long time and are returning home. About 40 new personnel will become 40 new hopes to help you settle down.
"Your motherland is always waiting for you." Now, that wait is not just a vague longing, but a systematic and solid support system to welcome you. We hope you prepare for your second life in Korea with excitement along with the evolving Overseas Koreans Agency.
Please continue to check this blog and OKA official channels for more news and policy changes.
- OKA pursues significant staff expansion for domestic settlement and petition response
- Strengthening integrated customized support for returning compatriots in housing, medicine, and employment
- Establishing a dedicated care system for vulnerable groups such as Sakhalin Koreans and Koryoin
- Increased convenience by expanding the functions of the Gwanghwamun Service Center and 365 Call Center
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