Short answer: not all Koreans are racist , but foreigners do report real discrimination in South Korea, and the issue is serious enough to be covered by human-rights groups and major outlets. Reports note that many foreign residents have experienced verbal abuse, exclusion, or unequal treatment, while physical violence is described as less common.

What the evidence suggests

  • A Korea Economic Institute analysis says foreigners in South Korea face discrimination with little legal recourse, and there is no broad anti-discrimination law covering race or national origin.
  • A 2020 report cited by the Korea Herald found 68.4% of surveyed foreign residents said racism exists in South Korea, with 56% reporting verbal disparagement.
  • A 2024 Korea Herald story describes cases of foreigners being denied entry to venues because of nationality or skin color, showing that outright exclusion still happens.

How to think about it

The more accurate framing is that racism and xenophobia exist in parts of Korean society , but that does not mean every Korean holds racist views.
Public attitudes can vary a lot depending on a foreigner’s nationality, skin color, language ability, and whether they are seen as a tourist, worker, or long-term resident.

So the claim is partly true as a generalization, but it is too broad if it sounds like a statement about all Koreans.

Why this happens

  • South Korea has long been relatively ethnically homogeneous, which some researchers say has made multicultural inclusion slower to develop.
  • Foreign residents and activists also point to weak legal protections and limited remedies when discrimination happens.
  • At the same time, many Koreans do not see their society as racist, and some reports note that physical attacks on foreigners are relatively rare.

Practical takeaway

If you’re asking because of travel, work, or dating, the safest answer is: expect a mix. Many foreigners have positive everyday experiences, but some do run into bias, especially in nightlife, housing, jobs, and official settings.

So it’s better to say “there is documented discrimination toward foreigners in South Korea” than “Koreans are racist.”

TL;DR

Yes, discrimination against foreigners in South Korea is real and documented, but it is not accurate to say all Koreans are racist.