Seoul: The number of foreigners residing in South Korea for extended periods, specifically 90 days or longer, has reached over 1.6 million as of November. This population largely consists of individuals staying for purposes such as work or study, with approximately half of them settling in the greater Seoul area.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the data, compiled monthly by the justice ministry, shows a significant growth trajectory from previous years, with figures rising from 1.1 million in 2021 to 1.3 million in 2023. This latest count represents an 8 percent increase compared to November of the previous year.

The distribution of registered foreigners indicates that 54 percent reside in the greater Seoul area. Within this region, Hwaseong houses 54,584 foreigners, Siheung 42,158, and Ansan 38,398, all located in southern Gyeonggi Province.

In terms of nationality, 29.8 percent of these registered foreigners are Chinese, followed by 18.4 percent from Vietnam, 5.5 percent from Nepal, 4.3 percent from Uzbekistan, and 4.1 percent from Cambodia. These individuals, classified as registered foreigners, are those who have applied to stay in South Korea for more than 90 days and are issued foreign registration cards. They are required to report any change in their area of residence within 14 days.