Increasing Rate of International Marriages: Structural Issues and Solutions
1. The Rise of International Marriages and Its Side Effects
International marriages have become increasingly common, now constituting over 10% of all marriages. However, the involvement of illegal matchmaking agencies has led to ongoing controversies surrounding marriage by purchase and the plight of fraudulent marriages. The fallout from these multicultural families often extends to educational challenges for multicultural students, highlighting deeper systemic issues at play.
2. Dependent Relationships Due to Visa and Residency Issues
The marriage immigrant visa (F6 visa) allows a residency period of up to three years, but requires a renewal process. Additionally, couples must maintain a stable married life for at least two years before being eligible to apply for permanent residency (F-5). This process necessitates meeting specific income and asset criteria, which can be particularly challenging for spouses from low-income countries without support from their Korean partners. If a couple divorces before the two-year mark and there are no children involved, the foreign spouse may face immediate deportation. Complications can also arise if the status is not maintained during the residency extension process. This institutional framework can create a dependent relationship for international marriage partners and lead to risks of undocumented status.
3. Societal Perception of Foreign Spouses as Evaluation Subjects
There needs to be a shift in how society views foreign spouses entering the country through international marriages, moving beyond the simplistic lens of immigration. For instance, foreign women who remarry Korean men must navigate a complex set of procedures to adopt a child. Moreover, if a foreign woman becomes pregnant post-marriage and divorces without prior notice, the burden of proof falls squarely on her shoulders.
4. Customized Policies for Multicultural Families and Students
Policies targeting multicultural families and students have been pursued over the past 15 years; however, there’s still a noticeable lack of tailored approaches. Treating multicultural students as a monolithic group often yields ineffective results. It’s vital for societal integration that multicultural families and students are recognized as ordinary members of Korean society. Additionally, there’s a pressing need for policies that counteract the negative perceptions of multicultural families propagated through social media and other channels.
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