Ministry of Justice Vows to Address Issue of Undocumented Foreign Children... Jung Sung-ho: "Basic Human Rights Must Be Guaranteed"

Consensus on the Need for Improvement at Budget Committee
Will to Find Solutions Expressed
Q&A Session with Lim Mi-ae of the Democratic Party
President Lee Jaemyung Emphasizes Proactive Foreigner Policy

On September 1, Minister of Justice Jung Sung-ho stated regarding the issue of foreign children born in Korea, "We will actively seek measures for the registration of undocumented children born to undocumented immigrants."

Minister Jung made this remark in response to a question from Assemblywoman Lim Mi-ae of the Democratic Party of Korea during the inquiry session for non-economic ministries at the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts held at the National Assembly that day. Assemblywoman Lim pointed out, "The current Family Relationship Registration Act restricts birth registration to citizens, so if the parents are undocumented residents or if a foreign child does not obtain residency status immediately after birth, birth registration is impossible," and added, "Although this issue has been discussed in the National Assembly for a long time and has even been designated as a policy task by the Ministry of Justice, nothing has been done so far. Isn't this a problem?"

Sung-ho Jung, Minister of Justice, is attending the plenary session of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts held at the National Assembly on the 1st, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yonhap News

In response, Minister Jung said, "I agree," expressing his support for the need for improvement. Assemblywoman Lim further explained, "According to estimates by the National Human Rights Commission, there are between 20,000 and 25,000 undocumented foreign children in Korea, but this is only the confirmed number," adding, "It is believed that there are actually many more undocumented children residing in the country."

Under the current Family Relationship Registration Act, birth registration is limited to citizens, so if the parents are undocumented residents or if a foreign child does not obtain residency status immediately after birth, birth registration is not possible. As a result, these unregistered children are left in a blind spot, unable to receive proper legal and institutional protection from the state or society.

So far, the government has been pursuing measures to guarantee the right to education for children who have been residing in Korea long-term, provided they meet certain qualifications. Regarding this, Minister Jung said, "This was originally scheduled to end in March this year, but we plan to extend it for another three years and implement it for the time being."

More fundamental solutions are also being discussed, centered around the National Assembly. Regarding undocumented foreign children, Assemblywoman Kim Namhee of the Democratic Party of Korea, Assemblywoman Seo Mihwa of the Democratic Party of Korea, Assemblyman Lee Kangil and Assemblyman Joo Ho-young of the People Power Party (joint sponsorship), and Assemblywoman Lim Mi-ae have each proposed related bills.

Regarding the amendment of the law, Minister Jung stated, "President Lee Jaemyung believes that in the context of local extinction and population decline, we must adopt proactive foreigner policies to revitalize the economy, and that the system should be improved to guarantee basic human rights for foreigners as well," expressing a commitment to actively pursue these changes.