Newsnomics AJAY ANGELINA reporter | A total of 4,348 illegal foreigners were caught by the ministry of justice South Korea, out of which 3,865 were illegal aliens, 466 illegal employers, and 17 illegal job seekers. 

Regarding illegal aliens, 3074 people were ordered to evict, 207 were ordered to leave the country, and 170 were fined. The rest of them are still under investigation. 

The ratio by nationality shows Thailand 1,441, Vietnam 814, China 587, Mongolia 165, Uzbekistan 126, Kazakhstan 119, Russia 109, Philippines 85, and others countries 419.

A total of 466 illegal employees and 17 unemployment agents were caught and faced the fines impalement on them. 1 person was arrested and 38 people were investigated without detention.

In addition, the ministry of Justice, in parallel with government’s joint crackdown, implemented a voluntary departure system that exempts fines and postpones entry restrictions, allowing 7,378 illegal aliens to voluntary leave the country from October 11 to December 10, 2022.

Han Dong-Hoon, Minister of Justice said, “As the premise of a flexible immigration and immigration policy conducive to national development is the establishment of a consistent and strict sojourn order, we will continue to operate a system to crackdown on illegal stays.”

The Ministry of Justice resumed joint government crackdowns by related ministries including National Police Agency, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Korea Coast Guard, etc. from Oct 11,2022 to Dec 10, 2022 (for 2 months), that had been temporarily suspended following the spread of COVID-19.

The korean government’s joint crackdown was focused on areas with great social harm, such as entertainment and massage parlors, and industries that encroach on people’s jobs such parcel and delivery agency. 

Key Cases:

1-A total of 12 places including 6 massage parlors and waiting accommodations in Gangnam, Seoul, Ansan, and Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, operated by illegally hiring foreigners were seized, 24 illegal aliens were arrested at the same time and all of them were forcibly removed and the employers were forwarded with a prosecution opinion. In particular, the businesses that were caught avoiding crackdowns by installing CCTV and door locks at the entrances to control entry and exit, and leaving separate waiting quarters for foreigners to come to the work only when there are customers.

                                                                  Recorded by Seoul immigration office and 7 organizations.

2-About 50 illegal aliens were arrested and deported that were caught by the immigration form the from the 6th floor of a commercial building located in Hwaseong, Gyeongi-Do, that was decorated as a performance hall for bands and other performances only for foreigners. The building has been seized and the employer sent with the opinion prosecution.

                                                              Recorded by Suwon Immigration office and 5 organizations. 

3-In addition, 32 foreign students while attending colleges in Gwangju, Jeolla province were caught and fined, were illegally working as “delivery riders without license using vehicles such as motorcycles were caught. 

                                                                                       Recorded by Gwangju Immigration office.