378 Afghan Nationals Assisted by Korea Enter the Country (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] A total of 378 Afghan collaborators who helped South Korea in the past, along with their families, have set foot on Korean soil. This is the first time the government has transported a large number of foreigners from conflict zones into the country.

A military transport plane carrying Afghan collaborators who helped Korea and their families arrived at Incheon Airport on the 26th. They underwent COVID-19 testing at the airport and will stay at a temporary living facility until the results are available. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

At 4:24 PM on the 26th, the multi-purpose aerial refueling transport aircraft KC-330 carrying Afghan collaborators arrived at Incheon Airport. It took about 11 hours since departing from Islamabad Airport in Pakistan. Of the total 391 entrants, 378 arrived first, and 13 are expected to enter on another Korean military transport plane.

They are skilled personnel and their families who have worked over the past several years at the South Korean Embassy in Afghanistan, KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency), Bagram Korean Hospital, Bagram Korean Vocational Training Center, and Charika Korean Provincial Reconstruction Team as doctors, nurses, information technology (IT) experts, interpreters, instructors, and more. Among the families, a significant number of children under 10 years old and elderly individuals are included.

They will undergo quarantine procedures such as COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests at a separate location within the airport, then wait at a temporary facility near the airport. Once confirmed negative, they will be transported to the National Human Resources Development Institute in Jincheon, Chungbuk.

They are expected to live in quarantine for 14 days at the Human Resources Development Institute while receiving settlement education, and after 6 to 8 weeks, they will be moved to other facilities prepared by the government.

The Ministry of Justice issued short-term visit (C-3) arrival visas to ensure their stable settlement, followed by residence status (F-1) that allows long-term stay. After completing the temporary living phase at the Human Resources Development Institute, a residence (F-2) visa that permits free employment will be issued.

Meanwhile, since early August when the Taliban's offensive intensified in Afghanistan, the government had been preparing to transport Afghans who helped South Korea domestically using civilian aircraft. However, as the situation became urgent, on the 23rd, three Korean military transport planes were sent to the area.

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