서강대학교

초록

Demographic development is closely associated with the social, economic and cultural development of any country and therefore is of great significance in terms of maintaining national security and stability. As of today, the severe impact of substantial demographic transitions is more tangible in advanced economies and the cases of Japan and Korea, in this regard, undoubtedly are seen as the most serious ones due to critical depopulation trends. Thus, s search for solutions to demographic crisis is a matter of national security. The fundamental approach implies pronatalist policies as a major long-term solution. Along with pronatalist policies, complemental policies such as immigration should be seriously taken into account. Despite the increasing foreign population, immigration in such monoethnic societies as Japan and Korea is not common. Although at first glance Japan and Korea seem to pursue similar immigration policy courses, there are hardly perceptible but characteristic differences in practice. This research is devoted to the study of the evolution of demographic crises in Japan and Korea and the identification of the distinctive natures of their immigration policies. The study indicates the effects of major demographic transitions on the changes in attitude toward immigration in each country. The comparative analysis as a central research method indicated common features and principal differences. Key similarities in immigration policies’ evolution that were detected in the result of the analysis include conservatism and traditionalism of social fabric, rapid aging population, low birth and fertility rate, and the adoption of identical systems to attract a cheap workforce. The more rapid manner of demographic changes in Korea and the level of manifestation of nationalism in both countries are indicated among the most critical factor explaining key differences in immigration policies in Japan and Korea.