Civic groups denounce proposed bill to release crime data on foreign nationals

Migrant rights and other civic groups have condemned a bill proposed by conservative lawmakers that would require immigration authorities to publish crime statistics on foreign nationals, broken down by nationality and visa status, warning that the measure could fuel xenophobia.

Civic organizations said Thursday that the proposal would stigmatize immigrants by singling them out as potential criminals, despite evidence showing that foreign residents are less likely to commit crimes than Koreans on average.

"Crime statistics based on race or nationality carry a strong stigmatizing effect and can reinforce social discrimination against specific groups," a coalition of migrant rights organizations said in a statement.

The groups noted that law enforcement agencies already collect such data, arguing that there is no reason for the justice ministry to carry out similar measures.

"Prosecutors and police already compile crime statistics by nationality, and the crime rate among foreign nationals is roughly half that of Korean citizens. Given this, it is difficult to see what public benefit would come from the proposed bill."

Rep. Kim Mi-ae of the main opposition People Power Party speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Dec. 24, 2025. Yonhap

Activists also warned that placing the task under the justice ministry could pave the way for discriminatory immigration practices, such as applying different levels of visa screening based on country of origin.

The criticism followed a move on Monday by Rep. Kim Mi-ae of the main opposition People Power Party, who, along with 10 other lawmakers from the party, proposed a revision to the Immigration Control Act.

The bill would require the Ministry of Justice to compile and publish comprehensive annual statistics — including border crossings, visa status and crimes involving foreign nationals — categorized by nationality and country of origin.

"Crime statistics involving foreign nationals, a key component of foreign resident policy, are not currently being accurately compiled or managed by nationality or visa status," the proposal said. "As a result, it is difficult to systematically analyze the characteristics and causes of crimes committed by foreign nationals."

The lawmakers said the measure is intended to ensure efficient implementation of immigration policies, rejecting criticism that it would lead to stigmatization of certain communities.

Kim cited data submitted by the National Police Agency in May 2025 showing that the number of foreign nationals suspected of crimes in 2024 rose to 35,283, an increase of about 7.8 percent from a year earlier, with a pronounced rise in violent offenses.

Migrant rights advocates, however, say those figures alone do not justify tougher scrutiny of crimes involving foreign nationals.

Police data showed that in 2024, the crime rate among Koreans stood at 3,120 cases per 100,000 people — roughly 2.25 times higher than the rate among foreign nationals at 1,384 cases per 100,000.

The debate underscores growing strain as Korea undergoes a demographic transition, as a shrinking workforce has created calls for increased immigration while also fueling nationalist unease. If enacted, the measure would represent a sharp break from the government’s efforts to project an open, welcoming image to the global workforce it increasingly depends on, potentially formalizing a data-driven form of social exclusion.

Critics also cited Kim’s legislative record, saying the proposal fits a pattern of bills they view as fueling anti-immigrant sentiment.

In May 2025, the conservative lawmaker introduced a bill aimed at what she described as foreign nationals getting a "free ride" from the national health insurance system. Proposing stricter eligibility requirements, she argued that foreign residents were exploiting the system and contributing to deficits at the state-run insurer.

Official data, however, contradicts that claim.

Figures released by the National Health Insurance Service last October show that, excluding overseas Koreans, the national health insurance balance for foreign residents has remained in surplus for eight consecutive years.