South Korea’s Justice Ministry said it held a public communication meeting on Jan. 27 to share key directions for its 2026 immigration policy, including managing illegal stays and protecting the rights of foreign nationals.
The ministry said the meeting was organized amid calls to better reflect what most citizens want from immigration policy while ensuring the enforcement process does not neglect the human rights of foreign nationals. It shared its 2026 policy direction with civic groups including the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, academics and immigration policy experts, and heard feedback from the field.
The ministry said its efforts to reduce illegal stays cut the number of undocumented residents to 350,000 from 430,000 in 2023. It said it is using multiple approaches beyond on-site crackdowns, including support for voluntary departures and partial legalization. It also said enforcement needs strengthening, citing a recent death of a Vietnamese woman. The ministry said it will deploy additional safety personnel during inspections at workplaces considered high-risk for accidents and will bolster its response to crimes by foreign nationals that threaten public safety, including drug offenses and voice phishing scams.
Participants said enforcement methods need to change, and the ministry outlined additional steps aimed at protecting foreign nationals’ rights.
To strengthen protections, the ministry said it will more specifically define review agenda items handled by its Foreign Nationals Human Rights Protection and Rights Promotion Council and tighten guidance procedures through its Comprehensive Immigration Information Center.
Academic participants also conveyed views from education and industry on expanding employment opportunities and settlement measures for foreign nationals staying on student (D-2, D-4) or job-seeker (D-10) visas.
The ministry said it will incorporate the opinions raised at the meeting and prepare detailed implementation procedures in February, including follow-up steps such as revising related operating guidelines.
Cha Yong Ho, head of the ministry’s Immigration and Foreign Policy Headquarters, who chaired the meeting, said, “Because the issue of illegal stays is directly tied to public safety, we will respond strictly, but we will make procedural transparency and safety our top priorities so that no human-rights blind spots arise during enforcement.” He added, “We will continue to communicate with civil society and pursue a balanced immigration policy that the public can support.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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