"Why Choose Small Korea Over a Vast Country?" vs "Advanced Nations Must Take Responsibility"…Debate Over Accepting Afghan Refugees 'Pros and Cons'

"Must Accept on Humanitarian Grounds" Positive Political Response to 'Refugee Acceptance'
"Should Support" vs "Problems Will Arise" Citizens Divided on Issue

On the 19th (local time), civilians fleeing the Taliban regime filled the inside of a US military transport plane after leaving Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan. / Photo by US Central Command [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] As the issue of accepting Afghan refugees has emerged as a global concern, calls for considering refugee acceptance have also arisen within South Korea's political circles, sparking debates online as well.

While some argue that South Korea, having joined the ranks of developed countries, should not remain passive on the international refugee issue, others express concerns about social problems that may arise from accepting refugees, such as crime and economic burdens.

Recently, political circles have voiced the need to consider accepting Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban. On the 22nd, Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated during a lunch with presidential candidate Park Yong-jin, "Countries including the United States are working to safely bring Afghans who cooperated in Afghanistan reconstruction projects," adding, "Since we have become a developed country, shouldn't we take on such responsibilities as well?"

The opposition also showed a positive stance on refugee acceptance. On the 21st, Kim Jae-won, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, wrote on Facebook, "The government should promptly review the national defense system and accept Afghan refugees on humanitarian grounds," adding, "At the very least, Afghan nationals residing in the country should not be treated as illegal immigrants and deported to their home country."

Jang Hye-young, a member of the Justice Party, also emphasized South Korea's responsibility regarding the refugee issue on the 20th, saying, "I believe South Korea, the first in Asia to enact a Refugee Act, has a role to play."

At Kabul Airport in Afghanistan, U.S. troops rescue only a baby in response to the desperate pleas of Afghans.
Photo by Yonhap News

Public opinion on this issue was divided. While some argued that South Korea should join global efforts to resolve the refugee problem, others expressed concerns about safety issues such as crime and terrorism.

Im, a worker in his 20s, said, "I saw a desperate news report about a baby being thrown over a barbed wire fence at Kabul Airport in Afghanistan," adding, "I think it's time to do more than just feel sorry. Our country should now actively participate in this international issue."

Another netizen said, "South Korea joined the UN Refugee Convention in 1992 and pledged to provide humanitarian support to refugees with nowhere else to go," adding, "If we don't step up now, what's the point of joining the convention? We need to stop being bystanders expecting other countries to solve the refugee problem."

On the other hand, there was also considerable public opposition to accepting refugees. Netizens responded with comments such as, "How can a small country like South Korea accept refugees?" "It's already hard enough for our people to make a living," "Conflicts will arise due to differences in religion and culture," and "What if terrorism or crime increases due to accepting refugees?"

One netizen said, "There are already over 3 million multicultural families in the country," adding, "Support for them is not even adequate, so why the fuss about accepting more Afghan refugees?"

Meanwhile, South Korea joined the Refugee Convention in 1992 and has been implementing the Refugee Act, the first in Asia, since July 2013 to improve refugee treatment.

However, very few refugees who come to South Korea are recognized as refugees. According to the Ministry of Justice's Immigration and Foreign Policy Headquarters, from 1994 to April this year, there have been 71,936 refugee applicants, of whom only 1,101 were recognized as refugees, resulting in a recognition rate of just 1.5%.

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