Korean officials and foreign residents yesterday celebrated a day of global communication and understanding as part of the annual Together Day.

In 2007 the Ministry of Justice designated May 20 as Together Day and the following week as Together Week to promote communication and interaction with foreign residents living here.

The ministry will hold a forum today on the present status and future of Korea's immigration policies.

In yesterday's ceremony, Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, Justice Minister Kim Kyung-han and other Korean officials were joined by some 800 foreign participants - immigrants, students and workers.

"Foreign nationals, with their various linguistic and cultural backgrounds, are not only our social companions, but also our country's precious human assets," Han said.

"Only when they are offered the chance to exhibit their full potentials can Korea take a further step up in the global community."

Among the participants, nine were conferred honorary commendations for supporting foreign nationals in acclimating to Korea and protecting their human rights.

The presidential commendation was given to Inha University Hospital which led medical community services over the last six years in Korea and abroad in Mongolia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and other countries.

Another recipient was Choi Sung-do, chairman of a consulting center for foreigners in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, who has given counsel to an average of 1,025 foreigners annually over the last 12 years.

The number of foreign nationals residing in Korea reached 1.16 million as of March 31, according to the Justice Ministry.

"We wish to create a society in which people with various ethnic and cultural backgrounds may live in harmony," said a ministry official.

The foreign population sharply rose from 910,149 in 2006 to 1.06 million in 2007 and to 1.16 million last year.

China topped the list with 573,815, followed by U.S. nationals with 115,046, Vietnamese with 87,436, Filipinos with 46,630 and Japanese with 43,819.