[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The Ministry of Justice will implement a 'humanitarian special stay measure' for Afghans residing in Korea until the political turmoil in Afghanistan stabilizes.
On the morning of the 25th, the Ministry of Justice announced, "As of the 20th, 434 Afghans staying in Korea for both long and short terms are subject to this measure."
The Ministry of Justice decided that if legally staying Afghans who must leave due to the expiration of their stay period wish to remain, they will be allowed to stay and work in Korea under a 'special stay' status after a thorough identity verification and fact-finding investigation. Typical cases include international students who have completed their studies such as graduation or training, and short-term visitors who can stay for up to 90 days. Extensions of stay or changes in stay status will be permitted as before when possible.
For simple overstayers handed over by the police and related agencies, if they have guarantors or domestic connections, forced deportation will be avoided, and after issuing a 'departure order' including a stay of departure, they will be allowed to voluntarily leave once the situation stabilizes. A departure order is a system that requires a person to leave the country within a set period when immigration laws are violated or various permits are canceled. If the person who received the departure order cannot leave due to unavoidable reasons, the departure deadline can be postponed. However, the Ministry of Justice plans to take protective measures if there are no domestic connections or if the person is a criminal.
As of the 20th, the Ministry of Justice reported that Afghans residing in Korea by status of stay include 50 diplomats and government officials, 62 students, 35 corporate investors and 65 accompanying persons, and 61 others, among whom 72 are illegal overstayers.
Park Beom-gye, Minister of Justice, stated, "This special stay measure was taken as a humanitarian consideration for Afghans residing in Korea who cannot return to their home country due to external factors such as the political turmoil in Afghanistan," and added, "At the same time, reflecting the concerns of the public, we prioritized public safety by strengthening fact-finding investigations when granting special stay permits."
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