NGO Seeks to Drive Out Illegal Aliens
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
A civic organization plans to launch a campaign to expel illegal aliens next week.
The Movement of Extradition of Illegal Workers will hold a protest in front of the Immigration Office in Mok-dong, Seoul Dec. 18. At the event, members will urge the government to introduce tighter measures on illegal migrant workers in Korea, estimated at around 220,000. They will call for a more drastic plan ― such as collecting fingerprints of foreigners entering Korea, which was widely considered, but criticized in other countries.
They have already set out plans for the post-rally, too ― written complaints to media outlets on those who turn a blind eye to workers remaining in the country on tourist visas, and visits to headquarters of human rights civic groups for foreigners.
``We are not against all foreigners in the country. We are just against those who come here illegally and take away our chance to work and make a living,'' a member of the group said.
Many of the members do admit that most of the jobs these workers are taking are not attractive to them. ``But we are asking for those people to respect our law,'' he said.
Many people display hatred toward illegal immigrants complaining about crimes some of them commit or the economic loss they cause to society by not paying taxes. Some of these people form online communities and hold campaigns and offline meetings, blaming them for causing high unemployment and the economic slowdown.
Another online community is seeking the expulsion of illegal English instructors who come with tourists' visa and work at ``hagwons (private educational institutions).'' If some of these offenders are reported to have committed sexual assaults or involved in drug trafficking, the movement will make a blacklist and report it to the media and the government.
However, the organizations are being observed with grave concern. Some say these ideas can easily be viewed as racist. ``Many people think they are disadvantaged by these illegal visitors. Their requests may look like actions to do away with illegalities, but deep down in their hearts, there is hatred toward foreigners in general,'' Woo Sam-yeol, head of the Joint Committee with Migrants in Korea, said.
``When experiencing difficulties in getting jobs, youngsters tend to blame it on foreigners,'' Prof. Yoon In-jin of Korea University told the Munhwa Ilbo newspaper.
``We are not saying their undocumented sojourn in Korea is recommendable or good. But what we are saying is that they too have rights to live like any other human, without being neglected or hated in this country,'' said a staff member at the migrant worker's rights committee.
Meanwhile, Park Jae-wan of the Ministry of Justice Immigration Office said, ``The government has already applied strict rules to illegal workers. Those charged with illegal or undocumented work activity are expelled from the country or sentenced to up to three years in prison.''