CNN "A Russian Lives at Incheon Airport"

Five Fleeing After Russian Mobilization Order... South Korea "Refuses Admission"
Living on One Meal a Day in Departure and Duty-Free Areas
Awaiting Lawsuit Result to Cancel Decision on 31st

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Reports have emerged that Russians who tried to enter South Korea to avoid the military mobilization order issued last September have been stranded at Incheon Airport for months due to rejection by the South Korean Ministry of Justice.

Five Russians Living at Incheon Airport

According to the US CNN broadcast on the 28th (local time), there are currently five Russians staying at Incheon International Airport. Among them, three arrived in South Korea in October last year, and the other two arrived in November. They applied for refugee screening after arriving in South Korea, but the Ministry of Justice refused to refer their cases for review. As a result, they have been living in the departure area of Incheon Airport until now.

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Lee Jongchan, a lawyer from the public interest law center Appeal who is assisting with the lawsuit to cancel the decision not to refer their refugee screening, told CNN in an interview, "They are provided only one meal a day at lunchtime, and the rest of their meals consist of bread and drinks," adding, "They can shower, but have to wash their clothes by hand and are unable to leave the departure area and duty-free zone." He also added, "Access to medical services is limited, and considering their unstable situation, they are not receiving necessary mental health support."

Previously, human rights organizations in South Korea, including the Refugee Rights Network, urged the South Korean government to accept these men as refugees. They stated, "People who apply for refugee status to escape political and religious persecution in their home countries have the right to protection under international law," expressing concern that "if they return to Russia, they are highly likely to be detained or forcibly conscripted."

However, the South Korean Ministry of Justice dismissed the refugee applications of the Russians, stating, "Refusal of conscription is not a valid reason for refugee recognition," and that they are not eligible for refugee screening. Dissatisfied with this, the Russians filed a lawsuit to cancel the decision not to refer their refugee screening, and are awaiting the court's decision expected on the 31st.

CNN: "Conscription is a Sensitive Issue in the Republic of Korea"

CNN explained the upcoming court ruling in relation to South Korea's conscription system. CNN stated, "In the Republic of Korea, where all healthy men between the ages of 18 and 35 have a military service obligation, conscription is a sensitive issue," adding, "Even athletes or K-pop superstars are not exempt from military service, and conscientious objection was not allowed until a 2018 ruling." If the Russians staying at Incheon Airport are recognized as refugees, it is interpreted that this could spark controversy regarding South Korea's conscription system.

After Russian President Vladimir Putin issued the mobilization order last September, more than 200,000 Russian men fled to Georgia, Kazakhstan, and nearby European Union (EU) countries in the first week alone. According to CNN, in Russia, all men under 60 without a criminal record are subject to conscription regardless of military experience.