By Kim Jae-heun
A Korean embassy staff member in Malaysia has been jailed for issuing unauthorized visas to Pakistanis over the past three years.
Seoul Central District Court said Friday it sentenced the staffer to 18 months in jail for fabricating the official documents and violating the Immigration Control Law.
The staff member allegedly forged more than 20 visas to help Pakistanis travel to Korea illegally from April 2015 to January this year. Only a consul can issue a visa.
The staff member reportedly used the consul's ID and password to fabricate the visas for Pakistani friends.
The requirement for Pakistanis to obtain visas is strictly enforced because there are many Pakistani illegal immigrants here.
“As a staff member assisting the consul at an embassy, he was virtually given a duty to issue a visa, but he forged the document for unqualified foreigners,” the judge said. “He breached his trust and caused havoc in immigration administration. Therefore he cannot avoid punishment.
“However, he did not pursue any personal interest through this crime and he acknowledged his wrongdoing and he regrets. We've considered these circumstances.”
The court also sentenced to 10 months' jail and two years' probation two Pakistanis who acted as brokers in obtaining illegal visas for other Pakistanis through the Korean staffer.
“They have caused havoc in immigration administration by helping a number of foreigners to enter Korea illegally,” the judge said.