"Us Too Responsible" vs "Who Bears the Cost" Controversy Over Afghan Refugee Acceptance Spreads in Blue House Petition

Citizens Deeply Divided
"Concerns Over Persecution of Women and Sexual Minorities" vs "Our Own People Are Struggling Too"

On the 22nd (local time), Afghan refugees attempting to escape abroad are boarding a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane while guarded by U.S. military personnel. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] As the possibility arises that the U.S. government may accommodate Afghan refugees at overseas military facilities, including U.S. Forces Korea bases, domestic public opinion is sharply divided. While some urge a humanitarian response, citing "We were also a troop-contributing country," others express concerns about social unrest such as rising crime and unemployment.

On the 20th, a petition titled "Please open the borders to Afghan refugees" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. The petitioner stated, "As the U.S. military withdraws from Afghanistan and the Taliban insurgents take control of the capital Kabul, those who worked for the U.S. and the government are fleeing the country in fear of retaliation," adding, "There is also growing fear of increased persecution against women and sexual minorities."

They continued, "Korea is a troop-contributing country that dispatched medical personnel and an engineering support unit to Afghanistan," emphasizing, "Regardless of the purpose or outcomes of the deployment, Korea cannot deny its responsibility for the war and the current situation in Afghanistan," and called for accepting refugees.

On the Blue House National Petition Board, citizens engaged in heated debates over the issue of 'accepting Afghan refugees.' The photo shows a petition urging the acceptance of refugees (above) and a post opposing it. Photo by Blue House National Petition Board capture

On the other hand, voices opposing the acceptance of refugees questioned whether the necessary resources could be secured. On the 22nd, a petitioner wrote "Please do not accept refugees" on the National Petition Board, stating, "Our country is also struggling with an economic downturn due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic," and "It would be unbearable to accept refugees when even our own citizens are struggling."

They further expressed concerns, saying, "Who will pay for accepting refugees? Ultimately, it will be taxpayers," and "There are serious religious issues. The moment we accept refugees, we will be exposed to terrorism." This petition, currently under public review by the board administrator, received support from over 6,000 people within a day.

According to U.S. local media, the U.S. government is reportedly considering temporarily accommodating Afghan refugees at overseas military facilities, including U.S. Forces Korea bases.

On the 21st (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the U.S. Department of Defense is considering temporary accommodation facilities at military bases in Virginia, Indiana, and California, as well as military bases in Korea, Japan, Germany, Kosovo, Bahrain, and Italy.

Afghan Refugees Filling a US Military Transport Plane / Photo by Yonhap News

However, U.S. Forces Korea has not yet received any specific orders to accommodate refugees. Lt. Col. Lee Peters, spokesperson for U.S. Forces Korea Command, told Yonhap News on the 22nd, "We have not been given any mission orders to provide temporary shelter or other support to those departing Afghanistan."

Earlier, NATO allied forces, including the U.S. military, began withdrawal operations on the 15th after the Islamic militant group Taliban entered Kabul. The deadline for completing the withdrawal is the 31st.

Meanwhile, South Korea has dispatched non-combat troops to Afghanistan at the request of the U.S. In December 2001, the Haeseong Unit and Cheongma Unit, responsible for transport missions, were deployed, followed the next year by the Dongui Unit, a medical support team, and the Dasan Unit, a construction engineering support team.

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