Crackdown on Undocumented Workers Fails to Curb Numbers, Sparks Calls for Policy Shift
DAEGU, SOUTH KOREA – A five-year government plan to reduce South Korea’s undocumented resident population is facing increasing scrutiny as numbers remain stubbornly high despite intensified enforcement efforts and a significant budget increase. The plan, aiming to lower the number of undocumented residents from 430,000 to 300,000, has been criticized for its ineffectiveness and potential for human rights violations.
The government is bolstering its crackdown personnel by 88 and expanding the related budget, but recent cases highlight the policy’s shortcomings. The death of Tuan, a worker at a Daegu Seongseo Industrial Complex factory, exemplifies the issues.He was legally employed through a dispatch company and not an undocumented resident, yet filled a role Koreans were unwilling to take. Advocates argue that undocumented workers are frequently enough vulnerable to exploitation and hesitant to report crimes due to fear of deportation.
Despite the “intensive crackdown policy,” the number of undocumented residents has not decreased significantly,notably considering increased immigration following the pandemic. Critics point to the financial cost of enforcement – including loss of life – and question the public benefit achieved. Following Tuan’s death, three more individuals sustained serious injuries during crackdowns in Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do.
“Now is the time to stop hunting and reflect on yourself,” the article states.
Lee Jin-hye, a full-time lawyer at the Migrant Center, advocates for a shift in focus towards employer sanctions, safe management, and support for undocumented immigrants, including guaranteeing opportunities for voluntary departure.She argues for a human rights-based approach rather than continued enforcement.
