Analysis of South Korea’s Refugee System and Refugee Status in 2024

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Overview of South Korea’s Refugee System and Current Trends

According to a recent announcement from the Ministry of Justice, the cumulative number of refugee applications has surpassed 120,000 as of December 2024, setting a record high. Following the enactment of the refugee law, there has been a significant increase in applications, prompting more active discussions and reviews of the asylum process. In this article, we’ll delve into South Korea’s refugee system, the reasons behind the surge in applications, key statistics, and the challenges related to the refugee review process.

1. The Origins and Status of South Korea’s Refugee System

South Korea has been operating a refugee system since 1994 after joining the United Nations Refugee Convention and its Protocol in 1992. Initially, the number of refugee applications was low; however, the implementation of the refugee law in 2013 marked a turning point, leading to a substantial increase in applications.

  • From 1994 to 2012 (18 years): 5,069 applications
  • From 2013 onward, following the enforcement of the refugee law, the numbers began to rise significantly
  • In 2023, there were 18,837 applications (the highest number ever recorded)
  • By December 2024, the cumulative total reached 122,095 applications.

2. Reasons for Refugee Applications and Major Source Countries

The reasons behind refugee applications are varied:

  • Political opinion: 24,513
  • Religious beliefs: 23,480
  • Membership in a specific social group: 10,757
  • Race: 5,541
  • Family reunification: 5,210
  • Nationality issues: 1,162
  • Economic motives and threats: 51,432 (approximately 42% of total applications)

The top five countries from which these applications originate are:

  1. Russia
  2. Kazakhstan
  3. China
  4. Pakistan
  5. India

Together, applicants from these five countries account for 58,419 cases, representing nearly 48% of all applications.

3. The Refugee Review Process and Recognition Rates

Out of the 122,095 applications submitted so far:

  • Assessments completed: 65,227
  • Withdrawals: 10,216
  • Terminations due to three instances of non-attendance: 18,948
  • Currently pending review: 27,704

It is common for applicants to file appeals after their applications are rejected, and many turn to the courts for relief:

  • Appeal rate: 74.5%
  • Average rate of administrative lawsuits over the past five years: 82%
  • The proportion of refugee-related cases among total administrative lawsuits: 18%
  • Proportion of refugee cases in the appeals court: 34%

The duration of these reviews is lengthy:

  • Initial review: average of 14 months
  • Appeal review: average of 17.9 months
  • Administrative lawsuit: average of 22.4 months
  • Total review time (average): over 4 years

4. Refugee Recognition Rates and Humanitarian Stay Permits

So far, only 1,544 individuals have been officially recognized as refugees, resulting in a cumulative recognition rate of just 2.7%. The low recognition rate can be attributed to several factors:

  • Many applicants originate from countries that are not major sources of refugees
  • A combination of geographical accessibility and historical-cultural differences

Nonetheless, South Korea actively recognizes those in need of protection from countries like Myanmar (56.4%), Burundi (50%), Ethiopia (28.9%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (28.6%), and Iran (26.9%). Additionally, 2,696 individuals who are not recognized as refugees but require protection due to inhumane treatment or torture have been granted humanitarian stay permits, including:

  • Syria: 1,271
  • Yemen: 802
  • Haiti: 117
  • Myanmar: 55
  • Pakistan: 37

When combining the recognition and humanitarian stay permits, the total protection rate stands at 7.4%.

5. Challenges and Improvement Measures for the Refugee System

  1. Surge in Applications → Delays in Reviews
    With the increased number of applications and administrative lawsuits, the average processing time has exceeded four years, leading to instances of system abuse.

  2. Rise in Economic Motive Applications
    Approximately 42% of applications are for economic reasons unrelated to the refugee convention. As there are no limits on the number of applications, some individuals exploit this situation to prolong their stay.

  3. Abuse of Reapplication
    After rejection, there have been 11,409 reapplications (9.4%), with some cases exceeding six reapplications, which raises concerns about potential abuse of the system due to the absence of application limits.

  4. Increased Burden on the Courts
    Refugee-related administrative lawsuits constitute 18% of all litigation, with 34% of cases reaching the appeals level.

Conclusion

Since the implementation of the refugee law in 2013, South Korea’s refugee system has experienced rapid changes. As the number of applications increases, administrative burdens also rise, along with challenges concerning lengthy processing times and repeated applications. It is essential to establish a fair and expedited review process while considering policies for refugee protection and social integration together.

This article reflects the current state of affairs and may be subject to change in line with government policies. It serves solely as informational content and does not constitute legal advice or judgment.

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