People march in a parade calling for an end to discrimination in central Seoul, March 16. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
To mark the 2025 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Korea-based migrant human rights organizations staged a rally in front of Seoul Station on March 16, reaffirming their intention to create a world without hate and discrimination, even as change within Korean society remains slow.
The organizers said that despite repeated recommendations from United Nations human rights bodies, including the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Korea has failed to enact even the most basic anti-discrimination law. Since 2009, the South Korean government has ignored 12 international recommendations to establish comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation.
People participate in a rally in front of Seoul Station, March 16. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
During a joint declaration statement, organizers called on the Korean government to respect the dignity of migrants and ensure equal treatment in all aspects of labor, health and social security.
“We have long fought and stood in solidarity against racial discrimination. The global situation continues to deteriorate, and change within Korean society remains painfully slow. However, we refuse to surrender to helplessness," the statement read. "We demand the abolition of all forms of racial discrimination. The South Korean government must respect the dignity of migrants and ensure equal treatment in all aspects of labor, health and social security.
"End the violence of crackdowns, deportations and detention, and guarantee migrants' right to stay, survive and enjoy fundamental rights. The government must strictly punish far-right hate groups for inciting discrimination and the political establishment must immediately cease its complicity with them. We all deserve to live in safety and joy in our daily lives.”
People participate in a rally in front of Seoul Station, March 16. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
Jung Young-sup, coordinator at Migrants' Trade Union, told The Korea Times that diverse migrant communities and civil society organizations came together to raise their voices against racism and for the rights of migrants. This year year's participants included second-generation migrants, young people and students. About 40 Korea-based human rights organizations participated in peaceful events and rallies.
Jung Young-sup, coordinator at Migrants' Trade Union, raises his fist during a rally in front of Seoul Station, March 16. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
When asked what messages he wants to convey to Korean society regarding migrant rights, Jung said that migrants are the same people and members of society who work and live in Korea. “They should not be discriminated against because they are foreigners," he said. "The number of migrants in Korea will continue to increase in the future as the country faces a declining population, labor shortages and the threat of regional extinction. It is urgent to eliminate discrimination and ensure equal treatment and rights.”
A migrant holds a sign saying "No-Racism" during a rally in front of Seoul Station, March 16. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
The rally statement highlighted that Korea is a member of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, but the racial discrimination and hatred experienced by immigrants remain. The U.N. Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination called for fundamental institutional reform to combat the problem in Korea in 2007, 2012 and 2018.
However, policy reform is slow, and under the Yoon Seok Yeol administration, oppressive policies against immigrants are being strengthened, as racial discrimination expands institutionally and socially, rally participants said. Officials are hastily expanding the size of the foreign labor force and violating basic rights by adding 'regional restrictions' to workplace changes that take away migrant workers' autonomy. Using the "illegal" label, they have cracked down on undocumented immigrants while far-right groups have wielded violence and private confinement. During the presidential impeachment process, some political forces and far-right groups are amplifying anti-Chinese sentiments, committing physical violence and intimidating immigrants. The Immigration Control Act, which allowed for indefinite detention in foreign shelters, was ruled unconstitutional, but the National Assembly passed a revision bill with anti-human rights provisions.
People demand improved rights for migrant workers to change workplaces during a march in downtown Seoul, March 16. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
Signed by groups participating in the 2025 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Commemoration Rally, organizers and participants presented nine points: ensure justice and guarantee migrant workers' right to freely change workplaces; end the concentration of hazardous work on migrants and ensure industrial safety; eliminate gender-based violence and guarantee residency rights for survivors; expand refugee recognition and ensure the right to stay and live; abolish discrimination against ethnic Koreans and migrants and stop anti-Chinese hate; ensure basic rights for migrant children and youth and establish permanent legalization measures; stop violent crackdowns and deportations against undocumented migrants and guarantee their right to stay; establish measures to eradicate labor exploitation by brokers and recruitment agencies and abolish racial discrimination; and enact an anti-discrimination law.
People participate in a rally against discrimination in front of Seoul Station, March 16. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu
The U.N. designated March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It is marked annually to commemorate when 69 people were killed on March 21, 1960, by police gunfire during a demonstration against the apartheid racial segregation policy in South Africa. Every year, various anti-racism actions are held worldwide to mark the occasion. In Korea, civic groups and migrants gather to raise issues of legal, institutional and structural racial discrimination and demand the dignity and freedom of migrants.
The organizers said the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is scheduled to deliberate with the Korean government at the end of next month, adding that migrant human rights organizations plan to independently prepare a civil society report on racial discrimination in Korean society for submission to the U.N.
Despite the chilly afternoon, the rally served as a platform for various social groups and citizens to deliver speeches and perform cultural activities. These included "NO RACISM" keyring making, live music and a dance performance by the African dance team Klekan. Additionally, Solidarity Drink Car provided free hot drinks. The rally concluded with a march from Seoul Station through Myeong-dong to the National Human Rights Commission of Korea headquarters.
Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He's also a freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency and the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative.