Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion: A Critical Discourse Analysis of South Korea’s Multicultural Education Policies

This study examines South Korea’s multicultural education policies through critical discourse analysis of policy documents from 2006 to 2024. As South Korea transitions to a multicultural society, education policies attempt to address increasingly diverse student populations. However, significant discrepancies exist between inclusive rhetoric and actual implementation. The analysis identifies three key findings: (1) selective inclusion mechanisms that narrowly define “multicultural students” and provide differentiated support favoring Western nations; (2) structural contradictions between assimilationist approaches and multicultural rhetoric, creating tensions between national identity and diversity; and (3) hierarchical tendencies in valuing different cultural backgrounds. These policies, although ostensibly inclusive, often reinforce existing social hierarchies rather than fostering genuine intercultural understanding. The study proposes shifting from “managed multiculturalism” to a transformative approach fostering intercultural competence for all students. This analysis contributes to broader multicultural education discourse, highlighting challenges faced by transitioning societies with insights relevant beyond South Korea.