The Politics of Conditional Acceptance of Outsiders: Public Perceptions of Refugees and Immigrants in South Korea

Abstract

This study examines commonalities and differences in South Korean attitudes toward refugees and immigrants. Using data from the 2025 Survey on Refugee Perceptions in South Korea, it compares refugees and immigrants within the broader category of outsiders and examines how threat perceptions and national identity among the same respondents are associated with acceptance of the two groups. The results show a strong commonality in attitudes toward refugees and immigrants, while differences are also observed in overall levels of acceptance and in some specific evaluations. These findings suggest that attitudes toward refugees and immigrants in South Korea are not formed independently but instead exhibit a pattern of “conditional acceptance,” in which a shared perception of outsiders is partially differentiated by target group. The study therefore highlights the need to examine both commonalities and group-specific differences across outsider groups and suggests that policy responses should address both the shared perceptual basis of attitudes toward refugees and immigrants and the distinct concerns associated with each group.

BibTeX citation

@article{LimPark:2026ewstudies,
    Author = {Lim, Yoojin, and Sanghoon Park},
    Journal = {East and West Studies},
    Number = {3},
    Pages = {61--88},
    Title = {The Politics of Conditional Acceptance of Outsiders: Public Perceptions of Refugees and Immigrants in South Korea},
    Volume = {38},
    Year = {2026}}