Actor suggests allowing Yemeni refugees to leave Jeju for Seoul
Actor Jung Woo-sung says asylum seekers' human rights should be protected. Yonhap
By Dong Sun-hwa
Korean actor Jung Woo-sung said Tuesday that Korea should keep allowing Yemeni refugees to come to Jeju Island without visas and permit them to move to Seoul and other locations.
The actor, the UNHCR National Goodwill Ambassador since 2014, told a forum on the island that if Korea restricts the entry of Yemeni refugees they will have nobody to turn to.
“I am not insisting on prioritizing anybody's human rights ― Koreans or Yemenis ― but suggesting asylum seekers' human rights should be respected and protected like ours,” Jung said.
“People have been generous about the refugee issue before the Yemenis came to Jeju, but now they are questioning why they should care for refugees.”
Jung revealed that he knew Jeju residents could be antipathetic and anxious about refugees.
“This is because the Yemenis are stuck on Jeju,” he said. “If they can move to Seoul or other locations, Jeju people wouldn't feel that anxious.”