The other migrant crisis: South Korea cracks down on Yemeni refugees
Arrival of hundreds of people fleeing Yemen conflict has sparked panic is Seoul
South Korea’s Justice Ministry has announced that the country’s asylum laws are to be revised, as a sudden influx of Yemen refugees sparks an anti-migrant backlash.
More than 552 people from Yemen arrived in the East Asian nation between January and May, the ministry said. Prior to this year, a total of just 430 Yemenis had ever applied for refugee status in South Korea, Reuters reports.
The new arrivals are being held at a centre on the southern island of Jeju, a popular summer resort that, in an effort to promote tourism, allows foreign visitors to stay for 30 days without a visa, says The Korea Times.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The refugees’ arrival has been met with suspicion in the highly ethnically homogenous nation, which has granted asylum to only 839 people since 1994.
More than 540,000 South Koreans have signed an online petition to the presidential Blue House in the past two weeks, asking the government to abolish abolish or amend no-visa entries and the granting of refugee status to applicants.
“Nearly 400 petitions that include the word refugee can be found on Cheong Wa Dae’s [Blue House] website”, many of which claim that “the presence of refugees expose Koreans to violent crimes”, says The Korea Herald.
Human rights campaigners have dismissed allegations that the Yemenis have come to South Korea seeking economic advantage, pointing instead to the violent civil war tearing the Gulf nation apart. Around 190,000 people have fled Yemen since the conflict began in March 2015.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) has urged the government in Seoul to improve the poor conditions for the asylum seekers on Jeju.
“The Justice Ministry is confining refugees to Jeju Island without any appropriate measures in place,” said Kim Seong-in, who heads the Refugee Network’s Jeju countermeasures committee.
The Justice Ministry is blocking the refugees from leaving Jeju, and stopped no-visa entry onto the island for Yemeni citizens at the beginning of this month.
“Because of the lack of a refugee support system on Jeju Island, refugees are waiting forever for their refugee status reviews,” said NHRCK chair Lee Sung-ho.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What the chancellor's pension megafund plans mean for your money
Rachel Reeves wants pension schemes to merge and back UK infrastructure – but is it putting your money at risk?
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
Why Māori are protesting in New Zealand
A controversial bill has ignited a 'flashpoint in race relations' as opponents claim it will undermine the rights of Indigenous people
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 21, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published