The Ministry of Justice has partially accepted the recommendation of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) to improve the residency status of foreigners raising children with South Korean nationality on their own.
On the 20th, the NHRCK announced that the Ministry of Justice has improved the residency status to grant visiting cohabitation (F-1, no employment allowed) status to foreigners raising out-of-wedlock minor children with Korean nationality who cannot stay in the country under other statuses such as marriage immigration (F-6). Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice plans to permit activities beyond the authorized status to allow employment and expand the scope of employment activities to include simple labor sectors in addition to existing professional and seasonal work fields.
On September 21 of last year, the NHRCK recommended to Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon that the residency status should be improved so that foreigners who wish to stay in Korea to raise children with Korean nationality can work stably and receive social security benefits. The NHRCK evaluated the Ministry of Justice’s improvement plan positively, noting the simplification of procedures for foreigners’ economic activities and the plan to expand the scope of employment activities.
However, the NHRCK pointed out, "For them to raise their children stably, above all, a stable residency status that allows application of social security systems must be granted," and added, "Improvements in this regard should be made promptly."
Additionally, it explained, "It is necessary to raise social awareness of the reality faced by foreigners raising children with Korean nationality alone and to urge responsible institutions to actively promote related policies."
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