Can Korea truly be globally conscious?
By Yu Yuri
After weeks of media buzz and national concerns surrounding the 25th World Scout Jamboree in Korea, the high-profile international event has finally ended. Although the Jamboree aimed to showcase Korea's hospitality on the global stage, it faced organizational issues that raised fears of a damaged reputation. Despite this, the commitment of governments and politicians to invest resources in ensuring the Scouts' comfort is commendable.
However, it's perplexing that this level of urgency and dedication isn't consistently extended to other foreign groups, particularly refugees seeking the government's protection. As someone who works with refugees and asylum seekers in Korea, I can't help but notice the stark differences in reception and treatment between these two foreign groups present in Korea.
While Jamboree Scouts swiftly received “national support,” refugees seeking safety within Korea's borders encounter slow and reluctant aid. Trapped in legal uncertainty, they experience obstacles limiting work and societal contributions. Despite the Refugee Act's stipulation of a six-month examination period (extendable), refugee applicants wait over a year for interviews on average. Furthermore, they often face severe penalties for missed stay permit deadlines.
Yet another contrasting reality emerges: While young Scouts return safely to their homes, buoyed by widespread support and well-wishes from various sectors of society, including banks advocating for their “safe return home,” refugees seeking a secure haven within Korea face a lack of equitable and compassionate treatment. This disparity subjects them to unwelcoming political, legal, and social conditions, detrimentally impacting their long-term mental well-being.
The stark disparity between generosity towards Scouts and a zero-tolerance stance on refugees prompts the question: Can Korea truly be globally conscious without embracing all foreigners' rights, especially refugees fleeing peril in their home nations?
Korea's record reveals a disheartening picture: a mere 74 individuals out of 5,363 applicants were granted refugee status in 2022. Revelations of significant breaches in the screening process years back, characterized by inadequate assessment and interviews tainted by manipulation of officers, have already cast a shadow over the nation's global reputation and its image as a hospitable host. Most refugee applicants continue to navigate their journey unsupported, lacking crucial assistance, translation and interpretation during interviews.
Redirecting even a fraction of the effort dedicated to successfully hosting the fleeting international event toward supporting refugees during their screening process with legal aid and interpretation to safeguard quality and integrity, as UNHCR Korea points out, could allow Korea to better exemplify its global ideals and the nation's commitment to human rights and its pursuit of international peace.
Given its celebratory nature and the substantial financial and organizational support it receives, the World Scout Jamboree naturally garners the resources needed for promotion and coverage. In light of this, the media assumes a crucial role in illuminating the challenges confronted by refugees in Korea, often overshadowed when compared to other foreign groups like expatriates, tourists, students, business travelers and diplomats. This attention serves to foster public empathy and raise awareness.
To emerge as a genuinely global nation, proud and confident in hosting the Busan World Expo, which is meant to be "a solutions platform for humanity's crisis" as President Yoon emphasized, Korea must reassess its priorities. Demonstrating equal hospitality and dedication to receiving and treating refugees would underscore Korea's commitment to global ideals and its respect for all individuals, regardless of their origins, circumstances, legal status and perceived national merit.
Yuri Yu (klarayuriyu@gmail.com) holds a master's degree in Migration Studies, and is co-representative of Hanokers, a refugee-led cultural initiative (www.hanokers.org
) and member of Active Refugee Korea.