Korean Human Rights Commission Urges Facilitation of Family Reunification for Humanitarian Residents, Including 794 Yemenis
Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
The Human Rights Commission of South Korea has called on the Ministry of Justice to reconsider immigration laws that prevent residents granted humanitarian status from reuniting with their families.
The commission highlighted the severe difficulties faced by these residents, including 794 Yemenis, due to the separation of their families. The commission recommended amending the Refugee Act to allow foreign residents granted the right of residence for humanitarian reasons to bring their families to South Korea. However, the Ministry of Justice rejected this recommendation.
“Humanitarian resident” status is granted to a foreigner facing a risk to their life or freedom in their home country, even if they do not meet the official criteria for asylum. Unlike recognized refugees, humanitarian residents do not receive permanent residency or full social benefits, and they also face restrictions in accessing employment opportunities.
Previously, four foreign residents filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission, arguing that being denied the right to family reunification constituted a violation of their human rights. The commission rejected this specific complaint but recommended that the Ministry of Justice review the Refugee Act, noting that the circumstances forcing humanitarian residents to remain separated from their families warrant reconsideration.
The commission affirmed that the right to family reunification is a fundamental right guaranteed by domestic and international human rights standards and should be available regardless of nationality or residency status.
In response, the Ministry of Justice stated that allowing humanitarian residents to invite their families requires careful consideration and national consensus, and it rejected the recommendation.
The Human Rights Commission announced its intention to continue advocating for improved relevant systems to ensure the protection of human rights for individuals enjoying international protection, including humanitarian residents.
According to Ministry of Justice statistics, as of the end of 2023, there were 1,439 recognized refugees and 2,613 individuals holding humanitarian residence permits in South Korea. The nationalities of humanitarian residents include 1,263 Syrians, 77 Haitians, 55 Myanmarese, and 39 Egyptians, in addition to the 794 Yemenis.
Statistics show that most humanitarian residents (34.4%) have been residing in South Korea for between one and three years.
