Newsnomics AJAY ANGELINA reporter |

A total of 20,427 illegal immigrants were cracked down by operating a regular governmental crackdown system, 18,782 people were forced to leave the country, and about 37,000 people were ordered to leave the country, including 18,157 people who left the country on their own in the first half of this year, said the South Korean ministry of justice.

More than 20,000 illegal immigrants, as of the first half of this year were cracked down and sent back to their hometown shows the largest number ever.

The Ministry of Justice is conducting quarterly government joint crackdowns on a regular basis, such as the first government crackdown from March 2 to the end of April, followed by the second government crackdown from June 12 to the end of this month to establish a government-wide order for foreigners staying illegally in South Korea.

In the first half of this year, 20,427 illegal immigrants were cracked down, an increase of about 225% compared to 6,292 in the first half of 2022. Among them, 18,782 people were deported from the country, 17,931 people were forced to leave the country, 851 people were ordered to leave the country, and the rest were fined.

According to the Ministry of justice, the ratio by nationality includes: Thailand 8,645, Vietnam 3,923, China 2,597, Mongolia 826, Kazakhstan 678, Russia 474, Philippines 468, and Uzbekistan 402, other 2,414. Thailand has the largest number of illegal migrants who were cracked down.

Total 4,470 illegal employers and Job agents were caught during the governmental crackdown period and fines were imposed on them.

In particular, “we dealt strictly with the companies that refused to crack down by issuing and executing a search and seizure warrant.” Said the ministry of justice.

188 people, including illegal employment and immigration brokers who promote the illegal stay environment were caught, 30 people were arrested and 158 people were investigated without detention.

There is also a significant increase in guidelines for illegal foreigners to voluntarily leave the country. 18,157 illegal aliens, as an increase of about 45% from the first half of 2022 (12,509) were allowed to voluntarily leave the country.
 
In parallel, 1,203 patrols, inspections and guidance activities with crackdowns were conducted on illegal foreigners in densely populated residential areas nationwide.

In the second half of the year, the Ministry of Justice plans to actively respond to illegal aliens and illegal employers by maintaining a regular crackdown system by working closely with related ministries to continuously implement joint government crackdowns.

Han Dong-hoon, the minister of Justice said, “we cracked down on more than 20,000 illegal immigrants, the

largest number ever, as of the first half of this year and we will continue to deal strictly with the illegal immigrants.”

“Foreigners who abide by the laws of the Republic of Korea and contribute to the economy will flexibly be accepted, while illegal foreigners who violate the laws of the Republic of Korea will be strictly cracked down.” Han added.