[2020 National Audit] Eo Gi-gu "321 Illegal Immigrants in the Last 10 Years"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Cases of illegal entry into the country, such as misuse of the Jeju visa-free entry system for leaving the island, unauthorized departure of foreign seafarers, and maritime illegal immigration using small boats, have been continuously occurring.

According to the 'Illegal Immigration Occurrence Status in the Last 10 Years' submitted by the Korea Coast Guard to Eo Gi-gu, a member of the National Assembly's Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock, Food, and Maritime Fisheries Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, the number of illegal immigration cases from 2010 to last year totaled 135, with 321 illegal immigrants and 169 accomplices.

In particular, among the 5 cases of direct maritime illegal immigration this year, 4 occurred in Taean and 1 in Jindo, revealing that the Chungnam region on the west coast is highly vulnerable to direct maritime illegal immigration.

By type, the most common was leaving the island after entering Jeju without a visa, with 101 cases and 209 illegal immigrants, followed by direct maritime illegal immigration using small boats, with 23 cases and 99 people.

By jurisdiction, the Jeju Regional Coast Guard arrested 197 illegal immigrants, while the headquarters arrested the fewest at 10, with the Central Regional Coast Guard at 28, the West Sea Regional Coast Guard at 58, the South Sea Regional Coast Guard at 17, and the East Sea Regional Coast Guard at 11.

Meanwhile, up to September this year, a total of 490 illegal immigrants and accomplices were arrested, but 10 illegal immigrants and accomplices, including 3 Chinese illegal immigrants and 7 accomplices (4 Chinese, 2 Vietnamese, 1 Korean), have yet to be apprehended.

Illegal immigrants and accomplices are subject to up to 7 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 70 million KRW under the current 'Immigration Control Act.'

Assemblyman Eo stated, "The reason illegal immigration is not eradicated is due to lax security, and especially since our country is surrounded by the sea on three sides, maritime illegal immigration attempts are frequent," adding, "To dispel public concerns about safety related to crimes and terrorism caused by illegal immigration, thorough crackdowns on illegal immigration and perfect coastal security must be ensured."