Crackdown urged on fake refugee brokers exploiting system

The number of brokers caught arranging fraudulent refugee applications for foreigners seeking to enter Korea has risen sharply, underscoring growing concerns over loopholes in the country's asylum system. According to the Ministry of Justice, the number of such brokers increased from nine in 2021 to 38 last year. These brokers typically provide would-be entrants with fabricated travel itineraries and hotel reservations, allowing them to enter Korea disguised as ordinary tourists. Once inside, the brokers assist them in filing false refugee applications, charging fees that can reach several hundred thousand won per case. Although facilitating fraudulent refugee claims is punishable under Korean law, the practice persists because it remains profitable. With Korea's hourly minimum wage surpassing 10,000 won ($6.79), some foreign nationals are willing to take the risk of detection in hopes of securing employment. This demand fuels the broker network. The problem is compounded by structural gaps in the current system. Under Article 5(6) of the Refugee Act, the government must allow applicants to remain in Korea until their refugee status determination process is complete. However, the full process — including initial review, appeals and administrative litigation up to the Supreme Court — takes more than four years on average. The recent introduction of constitutional complaint procedures may further prolong these timelines. The absence of limits on the number or frequency of refugee applications has also enabled abuse. Even when applicants have little chance of being recognized as refugees, they can extend their stay by repeatedly filing applications and pursuing legal challenges. In one case identified by the Justice Ministry, a foreign national has remained in Korea for 13 years since first applying for refugee status in 2013, submitting seven rounds of applications and lawsuits. Korea joined the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its accompanying protocol in 1992, committing to protect individuals with legitimate claims. However, critics argue that this obligation does not extend to those who fabricate documents or abuse the system. An increase in fraudulent claims could undermine protections for genuine refugees. Calls are growing for a swift revision of the Refugee Act to address these weaknesses. Legislative proposals submitted by lawmakers from both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party include provisions allowing authorities to dismiss repeated applications lacking substantial grounds at an early stage. Yet these bills have remained stalled for months. Reforming the system will require balancing humanitarian commitments with the need to prevent abuse. Without prompt action, critics warn, the continued exploitation of legal gaps could erode public trust and strain administrative resources. This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.