By Kim Hyun-cheol
Staff Reporter

According to an MBC report Thursday, a special investigation team will be formed to fight crimes committed by foreigners here, led by the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office.

MBC said the decision was made at a meeting of law and order-related officials at Cheong Wa Dae. Police officers will be part of the team which will be led by a senior prosecutor.

The establishment of the team was pushed following reports that the number of crimes by foreigners is rising.

The team will focus on foreign gangsters and drug traffickers as well as those involved in other serious crimes.

An unnamed official from the Seoul Immigration Office confirmed that the team's launch followed an instruction from the presidential office.

The special team, however, is expected to face strong opposition from civic groups, concerned that it may undermine foreigners' human rights.

The number of crimes committed by foreigners jumped to 34,000 last year, from 12,000 in 2004. The Korean Institute of Criminology (KIC), however, argues that the increase is a natural consequence as foreign communities in Korea expand, and, proportionally, expats are still committing fewer crimes than Koreans.

hckim@koreatimes.co.kr