Brokers Exploit South Korea’s Asylum System, Drawing Increased Criticism
Concerns are mounting over brokers facilitating fraudulent asylum claims in South Korea, exposing significant weaknesses in a system already burdened by lengthy processing times. Those legitimately seeking asylum face an arduous four-year wait, which is increasingly being undermined by the actions of these intermediaries.
Details of Fraudulent Practices Emerge
In early 2025, a Turkmenistani national publicly pledged to assist fellow citizens eager to immigrate to South Korea, advertising fraudulent pathways to obtain refugee status. The broker arranged travel itineraries and hotel reservations, misleading authorities by having applicants pose as tourists. Once in South Korea, these individuals filed asylum claims with the broker’s assistance, reportedly paying up to 750,000 won (about 58,000 yen) for each transaction.
Legal Consequences for Brokers
This particular broker’s scheme drew scrutiny, especially since he had previously manipulated the system by acquiring a G-1-5 visa, enabling him to remain in the country during the refugee application process. In January, he was sentenced to eight months in prison, with the sentence suspended for two years. Separately, another broker was apprehended for selling fake rental contracts to asylum seekers in Hwaseong City, capitalizing on a shortage of refugee case officers, which allowed for unverifiable documentation. This individual issued 123 false contracts over 18 months, earning approximately 70,000 to 100,000 won per contract, and was also given a suspended prison sentence for violating the Immigration Control Act.
Rising Incidence of Fraudulent Asylum Applications
On Sunday, the Ministry of Justice reported a worrying increase in these schemes. Over the past five years, 109 individuals have been arrested for orchestrating fraudulent asylum claims. This number has escalated from just nine arrests in 2021 to 38 in 2025. The ministry emphasized that all defendants faced either criminal or administrative penalties, with 57 receiving prison sentences and 13 imposed fines.
Systemic Loopholes Encouraging Abuse
Critics contend that brokers are exploiting systemic flaws in the asylum process. Under the Refugee Act, individuals may remain in South Korea until their claims are resolved, creating opportunities for misuse. An investigation by JoongAng Ilbo revealed that the asylum process can take up to four years, as it encompasses filing an application, a review, the potential for an appeal, and administrative litigation. There are no restrictions on the number of applications one can submit or the timeframes between them, allowing applicants to prolong their stay even without a legitimate claim.
The Burden on Genuine Asylum Seekers
As a result, individuals with legitimate fears of persecution face additional delays. For instance, a Chinese asylum seeker named Zhang has been waiting three years for a decision following his application based on religious persecution. Critics argue that the proliferation of false claims significantly hampers the efficiency of the system, forcing genuine refugees into prolonged uncertainty.
Legislative Developments and Future Outlook
The backlog of refugee applications has compounded pressures on the judicial system, with refugee lawsuits constituting 36% of administrative cases filed at the Supreme Court last year—a staggering increase from just 1.6% in 2014. Legal professionals warn that if litigants leverage the new constitutional challenges following court rulings, processing times could extend further. A bipartisan bill proposing to expedite the rejection of unwarranted asylum applications has been stalled in the National Assembly, but the Ministry of Justice is reportedly committed to ensuring its passage.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter using generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
Written by Kim Jung Jae
