On the 25th of June, stakeholders from different sectors participated in a roundtable discussion on Korean Filipino children in the Philippines. The activity was part of a study on Korean children with a migrant background, which is spearheaded by Dr. Yoon-Jeong Shin of the Korean Institute for Health and Social Affairs. The project is funded by Korea’s National Research Council for Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences.

The project aims to examine the conditions of children with a migrant background living in Korea and in foreign countries, analyze their legal issues and living conditions, and suggest policy options to support them. In the Philippines, the project focuses on children of Korean and Filipino parentage, popularly known as Kopinos or Korean Filipino children. SMC is the implementing partner in the Philippines. China and Vietnam are the two research sites. Aside from Dr. Shin, the Korean team of researchers also included Dr. Seori Choi and Dr. Chang-Won Lee of the Migration Research and Training Centre.

SMC thanks the participants from the Ateneo Law School, Council for the Welfare of Children, Commission on Filipinos Overseas, Development Action for Women Network, Kopino Children’s Association, Inc. and the Korean Embassy for sharing their insights and experiences.