Brokers exploit refugee law for foreign workers
According to the Ministry of Justice, 7,737 people applied for legal refugee status between January and May, up 132 percent from the same period last year. Yonhap
By Jung Min-ho
A lawyer is under investigation after allegedly exploiting loopholes in the refugee law to help foreigners work here.
According to the Ministry of Justice Thursday, the lawyer, surnamed Kang, 43, and two other people are being investigated for allegedly helping foreigners stay and work in Korea by abusing the refugee law, which allows them to stay for up to a few years. This could be a violation of immigration law.
About 800 people have filed refugee applications with his help. Many allegedly did so without fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion or others in their countries.
Kang received between 500,000 won ($450) and 2 million won from each person.
According to the ministry, he started offering legal consulting services in 2016 for foreigners who want to work in Korea, in cooperation with local brokers in other countries.
The ministry said he advised foreigners to lie about why they “fled” their home countries on refugee applications. For example, he told some people to state they fled because they were afraid of being persecuted for believing in fringe religions.
The ministry said it found the list of seven brokers ― three Chinese, two Thais, one Pakistani and one Russian ― and the people they recruited. Earlier, the ministry said five brokers who recruited 184 Chinese were arrested.
Once they enter the country, Kang helped them file refugee applications and fight in court over the immigration office's rejections. The whole process can take up to five years.
He has denied the allegations.
The ministry said it will strengthen the screening procedures of asylum seekers and speed up the refugee evaluation process.
According to the ministry, 7,737 people applied for legal refugee status between January and May, up 132 percent from the same period last year (3,337).