Gov't cracks down on illegal migrant workers

Migrant workers are caught working illegally in Korea. Courtesy of Ministry of Justice

By Jung Da-min, Jung Min-ho

The Korean government is cracking down on undocumented migrant workers across the country.

The Ministry of Justice said Friday its main target is foreigners who work here illegally after entering the country through visa-waiver programs ahead of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

According to the ministry, the number of undocumented migrant workers surged to 312,346 in May from 251,041 in December 2017.

More than 14,600 undocumented migrant workers have been caught this year, up 7.3 percent from the same period last year; many were Thai women who took advantage of the visa-waiver programs to work at massage parlors and bars here.

Illegal immigrants, if caught, are deported immediately and their employers could face a maximum of three years in prison or a fine of 20 million won ($18,000).

The ministry said the crackdown will continue throughout the year.