By Kim Se-jeong
After an illegal Indonesian immigrant was arrested Wednesday for alleged links to the al-Nusra Front, a Syrian affiliate of al-Qaida, concerns are mounting over possible stigma faced by migrant workers.
The government's strengthening crackdown on illegal migrants may create prejudice, migrant workers and human rights activists said Thursday.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the number of undocumented immigrants has risen from 167,780 in 2011 to 213,565 this year, a 27 percent increase.
The government said that in the wake of the Nov. 13 Paris attacks, it has stepped up a crackdown on communities where the illegal immigrant population is high, implying that such places may be being used as refuges by suspected terrorists.
"The police are trying to create fear in society," said Shekh Almamun, 38, from Bangladesh, voicing his concern. "There are immigrants who commit crimes. True, but not all — whether they are legal or illegal — are terrorists. The police's action can lead many to believe this. Prejudice against guest workers is deep here already, and I am afraid this will worsen."
Almamun, who arrived in Korea 18 years ago, also said he is doubtful that the detained Indonesian man is a real terrorist.
"I don't know the man personally. But, if true, he should have been charged with other things, not just trivial things like violating the Immigration Law."
He also knows a few migrant workers who were detained under the same allegation. "One guy was caught two years ago and released in 2013. But his legs were beaten so hard that he is still being treated for them."
He said that two other Bangladeshi men were deported after terrorist allegations were made. "The police caught them calling them members of a terrorist group.
The police argued they were tipped off by the Bangladeshi government, but you know what happened when they were deported? They were deported peacefully.
There was no one from the Bangladeshi government at the airport to pick them up. If they had been real terrorists, would that have happened?"
Jung Young-sup from the Alliance for Migrants' Equality and Human Rights echoed Almamun's sentiments.
"The government's move shows that it regards the Muslim population in Korea as a source of danger. This is racial discrimination." Jung suspected that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) is at the center of it all.
"I feel that the NIS is playing fear politics among people so that the National Anti-Terrorism Law can be passed. I am not surprised by it. It's just sad that this will only divide people and society further," he said.
Amid growing concerns over worldwide terrorism activity, the government and the ruling Saenuri Party agreed to increase next year's anti-terrorism budget by 100 billion won.
The government also plans to revise related legislation to require Korean residents abroad to provide fingerprint information upon entering their homeland. Currently, they are exempt from the measure.
After an illegal Indonesian immigrant was arrested Wednesday for alleged links to the al-Nusra Front, a Syrian affiliate of al-Qaida, concerns are mounting over possible stigma faced by migrant workers.
The government's strengthening crackdown on illegal migrants may create prejudice, migrant workers and human rights activists said Thursday.
According to the Ministry of Justice, the number of undocumented immigrants has risen from 167,780 in 2011 to 213,565 this year, a 27 percent increase.
The government said that in the wake of the Nov. 13 Paris attacks, it has stepped up a crackdown on communities where the illegal immigrant population is high, implying that such places may be being used as refuges by suspected terrorists.
"The police are trying to create fear in society," said Shekh Almamun, 38, from Bangladesh, voicing his concern. "There are immigrants who commit crimes. True, but not all — whether they are legal or illegal — are terrorists. The police's action can lead many to believe this. Prejudice against guest workers is deep here already, and I am afraid this will worsen."
Almamun, who arrived in Korea 18 years ago, also said he is doubtful that the detained Indonesian man is a real terrorist.
"I don't know the man personally. But, if true, he should have been charged with other things, not just trivial things like violating the Immigration Law."
He also knows a few migrant workers who were detained under the same allegation. "One guy was caught two years ago and released in 2013. But his legs were beaten so hard that he is still being treated for them."
He said that two other Bangladeshi men were deported after terrorist allegations were made. "The police caught them calling them members of a terrorist group.
The police argued they were tipped off by the Bangladeshi government, but you know what happened when they were deported? They were deported peacefully.
There was no one from the Bangladeshi government at the airport to pick them up. If they had been real terrorists, would that have happened?"
Jung Young-sup from the Alliance for Migrants' Equality and Human Rights echoed Almamun's sentiments.
"The government's move shows that it regards the Muslim population in Korea as a source of danger. This is racial discrimination." Jung suspected that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) is at the center of it all.
"I feel that the NIS is playing fear politics among people so that the National Anti-Terrorism Law can be passed. I am not surprised by it. It's just sad that this will only divide people and society further," he said.
Amid growing concerns over worldwide terrorism activity, the government and the ruling Saenuri Party agreed to increase next year's anti-terrorism budget by 100 billion won.
The government also plans to revise related legislation to require Korean residents abroad to provide fingerprint information upon entering their homeland. Currently, they are exempt from the measure.
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