World Immigration News

Korea's rights body urges safer undocumented migrant crackdowns after Daegu death

Release Date
2026-03-20
Media
The Korea Times
Summary
South Korea’s National Human Rights Commission has urged stronger safety measures during crackdowns on undocumented migrants, warning of risks of clashes and accidents. It recommended blocking access to hazardous areas and redesigning immigration officers’ ID cards to improve safety for both officers and migrants.

The call follows criticism of heavy-handed enforcement, including a 2025 case in which a Vietnamese man died after falling while fleeing a raid, and a 2024 complaint alleging excessive force and procedural violations. Although the complaint was dismissed due to lack of evidence, the commission acknowledged that resistance and accidental confrontations can occur during such operations.

As of 2024, South Korea had about 397,000 undocumented migrants, with nearly 140,000 immigration violation cases resulting in deportations, charges, or fines.
Tags
Korea