Ministry of Justice Investigates Illegal Profiteering While Offering Help for Voluntary Departure of Undocumented Foreigners

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the number of illegal foreign residents voluntarily leaving the country is increasing, but some agencies demanding excessive fees have appeared, prompting the Ministry of Justice to issue a warning.

The Ministry of Justice announced on the 6th that it has identified cases where some administrative agencies are demanding unfair fees by claiming to handle voluntary reports of illegal stay and visa issuance on behalf of foreigners and guaranteeing re-entry, and will conduct an on-site inspection.

The on-site inspection will involve the Immigration Special Investigation Unit and nationwide metropolitan crackdown teams. For administrative agencies confirmed to have taken excessive profits, the Ministry plans to notify related organizations such as the Administrative Agency Association to request disciplinary action or to report them to investigative authorities.

As the COVID-19 situation continues to worsen, the number of illegal foreign residents voluntarily leaving the country is also increasing. From the 24th of last month to the 1st of this month, a total of 5,036 people left South Korea, and on the 2nd of this month alone, 2,621 people departed. Since December last year, the Ministry of Justice has been implementing the "Virtuous Cycle Illegal Foreign Resident Management Plan," which allows illegal foreign residents who voluntarily leave the country to re-enter with a short-term visit (C-3) visa after 3 to 6 months.

The Ministry of Justice urges people to actively report agencies demanding unfair fees to the Seoul Immigration Office and Foreigners' Affairs Special Investigation Unit Report Center at 02-736-8955.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.