The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Fri, May 27, 2022 | 06:47
Multicultural Community
15% of expats here are illegal immigrants: report
Posted : 2019-09-29 12:57
Updated : 2019-09-29 14:12
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down

By Kim Rahn

Nearly 15 percent of foreigners staying in Korea are illegal aliens, with Thais taking up the largest ratio, government data showed Sunday.

According to the data submitted by the Ministry of Justice to Rep. Lee Eun-jae of the Liberty Korea Party, 370,889 foreigners were staying here illegally as of July ― 15 percent of total foreign residents.

About half of them, or 164,135 people, entered the country through visa waiver programs and have not departed. The number of such people has increased since early last year when the government expanded visa waiver programs in line with the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games in February.

Thais numbered about 140,000, a threefold rise from 52,000 in 2015. The figure also made up about 40 percent of all illegal migrants.

Although just a small section the total number of illegal aliens, the number of Kazakhs soared eight-fold from 1,337 in 2015 to 10,707 as of July.

Rep. Lee also said that based on Korean National Police Agency reports, the number of drug-related crimes committed by illegal migrants was rising.

In 2015, 80 illegal migrants were caught for drug-related crimes. The number increased to 124 in 2016, 155 in 2017, 172 in 2018, and 271 in the first eight months of this year.


Emailrahnita@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
  • Corporate sponsors in dilemma over Son Heung-min's skyrocketing model fee
  • Why doesn't US want to add South Korea to Quad?
  • Supreme Court upholds 1 1/2-yr prison term for disgraced K-pop star Seungri
  • Blackpink celebrates Queen's birthday
  • British TV presenter views 'brutal' netizens as challenge to Korean entertainment
  • Undocumented resident gets 1.5-year jail term for financing Syria-based terrorist group
  • South Korean military to start using more advanced helmets this year
  • Desperation becomes sorrow after elementary school shooting
  • Employers criticize Supreme Court ruling against peak wage system
  • [INTERVIEW] Korea should open bio-related big data to private sector
  • Webtoon 'Navillera' nominated for renowned Eisner Award Webtoon 'Navillera' nominated for renowned Eisner Award
  • Former GFriend member Yuju sings on track for drama 'Kiss Sixth Sense' Former GFriend member Yuju sings on track for drama 'Kiss Sixth Sense'
  • Tim Burton's iconic world of misunderstood misfits returns to Korea Tim Burton's iconic world of misunderstood misfits returns to Korea
  • Park Chan-wook's 'Decision to Leave' draws favorable media reviews at Cannes Park Chan-wook's 'Decision to Leave' draws favorable media reviews at Cannes
  • [INTERVIEW] 'We want to help Korean dancers build global fandoms' [INTERVIEW] 'We want to help Korean dancers build global fandoms'
DARKROOM
  • 75th Cannes Film Festival

    75th Cannes Film Festival

  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group