President Lee Jae-myung faces backlash over migrant worker remarks

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is facing significant criticism following comments made during a Cabinet meeting regarding the economic impact of migrant workers. Lee stated that bringing in foreign workers “doesn’t contribute much to the national economy because they send all their earnings back home.” He suggested that the government should instead prioritize hiring Korean citizens by providing wage subsidies to address unemployment and bolster domestic consumption.

In response to the backlash, Lee clarified on social media that his remarks were intended to compare the economic contributions of foreign workers to those of Korean nationals, noting that domestic workers stimulate local demand more effectively. He also demanded a correction and apology from The Hankyoreh newspaper, which had initially reported his comments without the qualifier “much.”

Migrant rights groups and the Justice Party have condemned the remarks, arguing they devalue the essential labor provided by foreigners in critical sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and shipbuilding. Critics contend that the President’s rhetoric could fuel discrimination and ignores the significant contributions migrant workers make to the economy, including tax payments and filling labor shortages in depopulating rural areas.