Seoul City and the International Organization for Migration installed a sculpture work in Seoul Plaza to mark International Migrants Day, slated for Friday, officials said Wednesday.
Titled “My Migrant Neighbor,” the large sculpture representing three multicultural siblings offers distinguished looks through different angles, delivering a message of importance of embracing diverse cultures, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said.
This is part of the IOM’s campaign to raise awareness of the migrant rights, it added.
The sculpture, made by renowned sculptor Lee Hwan-kwon, was inspired by a family of a Korean father and a migrant mother with three children.
The IOM, the Switzerland-based intergovernmental organization was launched in 1951 to support the rights and settlement of migrants in 162 member countries. Korea joined the body in 1988.
According to the Interior Ministry, about 450,000 foreign nationals reside in the capital, which accounts for 4.5 percent of the city population.
Low-skilled workers and ethnic Koreans with foreign nationalities make up the largest shares with around 25 percent each, followed by marriage migrants and overseas students with 10 percent and 7 percent, respectively.
By Lee Hyun-jeong (
rene@heraldcorp.com)
