Korea lags behind in accepting refugees

By Lee Hyo-sik

South Korea has joined a league of advanced countries and played an increasingly significant role in the international community over the years. But the nation still lags far behind its peers when it comes to helping refugees and protecting their human rights.

Human rights advocacy groups say that Korea largely remains indifferent to the plight of displaced people in Asia, Africa and other parts of the world, adding it is difficult for them to gain refugee status here. They say the country should make it easier for refugees to settle down and provide them with a wide range of aid.

According to the Korea Immigration Service Monday, a total of 3,073 non-Koreans sought refugee status from the government as of April this year. World Refugee Day falls on June 20.

But only 8 percent, or 243, were recognized as refugees and allowed to stay here. They are from Burma, Bangladesh, Ethiopia and other countries in Asia and Africa.

Nearly 600 foreign nationals are currently waiting for the government to make a decision on whether they will be recognized as refugees.

The Seoul Immigration Office, which deals with most refugee status seekers, said only three employees are assigned to review more than 400 applications each year, which critics say makes the evaluation process significantly longer.

“Korea joined an international convention to protect refugees in 1992 and accepted the first one in 2001. But it has a long way to go to catch up with other advanced countries,” said Choi Won-geun, program manager at NANCEN, or Center for Refugee Rights.

He said the United States grants refugee status to about 33 percent of applicants, adding the ratio for Canada is even higher at 40 percent.

“But only 8 percent of refugee status seekers have been allowed to stay in Korea. It shows how uncaring we are toward the plight of displaced people across the globe. As the world’s first to become a donor country from an aid recipient, the nation should actively assume its international responsibility by providing shelter and other necessities to refugees,” Choi stressed.

But the government is extremely unwilling to grant refugee status, the manager said, adding the evaluation process often takes much longer than necessary.

“Those waiting on the government’s decision struggle to make ends meet, due to a lack of state support. The majority of them survive on assistance provided by civic groups. Under the law, refugee status seekers are allowed to get a job one year after they come here,” Choi said.

According to a survey of 395 refugees and refugee status seekers, conducted by the Ministry of Justice in 2010, 57 percent of respondents said they had to go hungry due to financial hardship. About 43 percent said they desperately needed living expenses from the government, while 42 percent were seeking a place to live.

“Given poor living conditions for refugees, it is crucial for a revised bill on the status and treatment of refugees, which is pending at the National Assembly, to be approved as soon as possible. If passed, it is also expected to encourage Japan and other Asian countries to beef up their support for refugees,” he said.

Under the revision, the government would be required to provide refugee status seekers with living expenses. Currently, only medical benefits are extended to them.

Additionally, they should be allowed to get a job after only six months on arriving in Korea, rather than the current one year period.