Newsnomics AJAY ANGELINA reporter |

A total of 38,000 illegal aliens were crack down during this year that counts the highest number ever in the history said the ministry of justice on Thursday December 14, 2023.

The Ministry of Justice conducted a regular joint government crackdown for three times this year to establish order for foreigners stay ing illegally in the Republic of Korea.

The number of foreigners staying illegally has been decreasing since last October due to various efforts to reduce illegal stay, such as consistent crackdown on illegal stay and operation of special voluntary departure period, said the ministry of justice.

According to the ministry of justice, “the 3rd joint governmental crackdown on illegal aliens carried out from October 10 to December 9,2023 resulted in the arrest of 7,255 foreigners who were staying illegal and employed illegal foreigners, 6,532 people were forced to leave the country, 159 people were fined, and the rest are under investigation.”

“A total of 1,653 illegal employers were detected and fines were imposed, 21 illegal employment brokers were caught and 8 were arrested. Moreover,13 foreigners staying illegally in the country and involved in using and selling drugs were also caught. Forced deportation and entry ban will be imposed after completing criminal proceedings.”

“A total of 8,800 illegal foreigners who wish to leave the country were allowed by the ministry of justice to leave voluntarily without paying fines and entry retraction during the 3rd government joint crackdown period”, the ministry added.

Currently, the Ministry of Justice is implementing the “Special Voluntary Departure Period for Illegal Residents” started from 9.11~12.31, 2023 that has been extended for two more months until the end of February 2024.

A special voluntary departure period is provided by the government in consideration of situations where flight reservations are difficult, as the number of voluntarily departing illegal migrants is increasing, as the foreigners are returning to their homes due to the year-end and New Year holidays.

Han Dong-hoon, South Korean minister of Justice said, “This year, we cracked down on more than 38,000 illegal aliens, the largest number ever. To actively respond to the problem of illegal residence. “We will do our best to establish a strict stay order by increasing the number of enforcement personnel by 88 and further strengthening the consistent, regular enforcement system next year.”

◆ Major cases of the 3rd government joint crackdown (10.10~12.9)

1)According to the Gwangju Immigration Office and Gwangju Police Agency, “33 people, including illegal foreigners, were caught at a foreigner-only karaoke bar located in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.

There were 10 people among them who tested positive for drugs, urgently arrested by the police are being investigated, and the rest are under investigation. Whereas 23 illegal aliens were forcibly deported.” 

2) As per Incheon Airport Immigration Office, “two foreigners arrested, one accomplice forcibly deported who were involved in arranging false refugee applications for 184 Malaysians through long-term stays and illegal employment.

3) With the efforts of Busan Immigration Office, Foreigner Office, Changwon Immigration Office, “by executing a search and seizure warrant on a foreigner-only club located in Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, 74 foreigners working illegally and residing illegally were caught and all were forcibly deported.