Record number of Russians seek asylum in South Korea, marking a fivefold increase from previous year
11:36 AM EST, February 25, 2024
Ukraine war: for live updates and recent information, follow our coverage
The number of Russians who applied for asylum in South Korea last year hit 5750. This marked a fivefold increase compared to the 1038 applications received the previous year. Furthermore, 2023's statistics showed that more Russian citizens applied for international protection in South Korea than in the cumulative 23 years from 1994 to 2017.
A mass flight of the Russians to South Korea
In the tally of asylums sought in South Korea last year, Russians made up the largest nationality group, with almost 19 thousand applications. Nationals from Kazakhstan came next with 2094 applications, followed by those from China (1282), and Malaysia (1205).
South Korea is known for its strict immigration laws, including those about asylum. From 1994 through to the end of 2023, the country received approximately 104 thousand applications for refugee status. Out of these, only 4052 were granted, as per the report from the South Korean Ministry of Justice.
Source: PAP
