By Kim Min-Jeung

In response to a recent petition posted on Cheong Wa Dae's website calling for a ban on the entry of new refugees into Korea, Park Sang-ki, the minister of justice, declared on Cheong Wa Dae’s live broadcast “11:50 at the Blue House” that the ministry will review the overall refugee screening system and work to better improve it. Around 714,000 people participated in the petition, demanding an abolition of the refugee recognition system and visa waiver program, specifically concerning the issue of Yemeni refugees on Jejudo Island.

Minister Park said that the ministry will tighten its vetting process by performing strict examinations concerning drug tests, epidemics and violent crimes. The refugee applicants will also be asked to submit their social media profiles for verification of identity. Minister Park added that the ministry also plans to stipulate penalties for refugee brokers who are engaged in illegal activities.

Concerning the amount of time taken to review a refugee's application, Park said that the number of Arabic, French and Russian interpreters, as well as evaluation judges, will be greatly increased. He said that increasing the number of specialists who collect information will reduce the total amount of time needed to review a refugee's application to less than a year, from the current average of three years.



In response to those demanding an end to Jeju-do Province's unique visa waiver program, which allows non-citizens from 180 countries to stay on Jejudo Island for up to a month with no visa, the minister said, “Despite side effects, the program helps boost the local tourism industry. Because the Jeju-do Special Self-governing Province has the authority, the ministry will discuss the issue with the Jeju-do government in depth.”

The minister said that withdrawing from the convention or abolishing the law on refugee protection is realistically impossible, when considering Korea’s national interests and global reputation.

"The government has decided to come up with measures to help refugees utilize their own capabilities and to live independently, instead of being passively dependent on support and protection," Park said.

Cheong Wa Dae's new media secretary, Jung Hye-seung, who interviewed Minister Park on the live broadcast, said, “Korea is relatively strict on accepting refugees, ranking 34th among 35 OECD nations.”

She added that, “More social consideration is needed while keeping a priority on the need to protect the interests of local residents.”

jer2co@korea.kr