By Nam Hyun-woo
Korea will implement a Refugee Act aimed at protecting asylum seekers’ rights from July 1, the Ministry of Justice said Tuesday.
In doing so, Korea will be the first East Asian signatory to the United Nation’s Refugee Convention to implement such an act, it said.
Under the new act, international airports and ports in Korea must open refugee acceptance desks, and asylum seekers can submit refugee applications at them. They can also invoke rights to counsel or ask for interpretation services.
Until now, applicants for refugee status could only apply for asylum after visiting immigration offices in the country.
Refugees acknowledged by the Korean government can receive social security, basic livelihood support and education services. The government also supports them with vocational and social adaptation training.
Six months from asylum, refugees will be permitted to get a job.
According to the ministry, the number of people who requested asylum stood at 1,143 last year, an eight-fold increase from 148 in 2004. It predicts the figure will grow after the act goes into effect.