CVK
It sounds like Korea is experiencing some growing pains as its population becomes more ethnically diverse. Last week, we told you about a group of Korean women petitioning the government to pass laws that would make it illegal to discriminate against interracial couples or mixed children. Today, The Korea Times profiles Jeon Man-kil, who founded the Korean Language Academy in Okchon, North Chungchong Province, a year ago to help newcomers learn Korean language and culture:

“They are also contributing to Korean society by giving birth to at least two or three children, while the country has a declining population due to a low birthrate,’’ she said.

“In about four to five years, Korean society will face a serious problem when bi-racial children from foreign wives and Korean husbands have to attend schools in rural areas,’’ she said.

She said since 2001, more and more Korean men in rural areas have opted to find foreign wives.

She emphasized that educating people to appreciate cultural diversity is absolutely critical for both Koreans and biracial children as most children of interracial couples tend to feel overwhelmed and depressed at school and during other peer activities.