Jang Hye-young: "South Korea Must Start Discussions to Accept Even Some Afghan Refugees"

On the 19th (local time), Afghans waiting in line to board a US military transport plane to leave the country at Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan. Photo by Kabul AFP - Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] Jang Hye-young, a member of the Justice Party, stated regarding the refugee issue of concern due to the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, "We need to start discussions to prepare measures for South Korea to accept at least some Afghan refugees."

On the 20th, Jang posted on Facebook, saying, "At the very least, we should open a path for international solidarity by accepting families with pregnant women, children, and their families."

She said, "I believe South Korea, as the first Asian country to enact a refugee law, has a role to play," and added, "The South Korean government and National Assembly should express their willingness to actively participate in the efforts of the United Nations and the international community, including humanitarian aid to countries surrounding Afghanistan that accept refugees." South Korea joined the Refugee Convention in 1992 and has been implementing the refugee law to improve refugee treatment since July 2013, the first in Asia.

Jang continued, "It is expected that refugees fleeing across the Afghan border will continue to occur," and explained, "While urgent humanitarian aid is desperately needed from neighboring countries, unfortunately, Europe and many surrounding countries oppose accepting refugees."

She emphasized, "While I do not fail to understand the economic and political burdens, closing the door first when people whose lives and human rights are threatened are right in front of us cannot be a fundamental solution," and added, "Instead of shifting all the burdens of accepting refugees onto the countries surrounding Afghanistan, we must actively seek the role we can play in the direction of international solidarity and cooperation."

Meanwhile, the Taliban seized Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, on the 15th and declared the restoration of their regime. Although they stated in their first press conference after taking control of Afghanistan that there would be no human rights oppression or retaliation, violent incidents such as shootings and kidnappings continue throughout Afghanistan.

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