Ministry of Justice Implements Humanitarian Special Stay Measures for Ukrainians... Until Local Situation Stabilizes

Ukrainians residing in Korea are marching near the Russian Embassy in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 27th, condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] The Ministry of Justice (Minister Park Beom-gye) has decided to implement a special humanitarian stay measure for Ukrainians residing in Korea who are unable to return to their home country due to the Ukraine crisis, until the local situation stabilizes.

On the 28th, the Ministry of Justice announced that this measure will be applied as a humanitarian consideration to 3,843 Ukrainians residing in Korea for both short and long-term stays (as of the end of last month).

First, for international students who have completed their studies such as graduation or training, or short-term visitors who are legally staying but can only stay up to 90 days and must leave due to difficulties in extending their stay, if they wish to remain in Korea, their status will be changed to temporary stay status considering the situation in Ukraine, allowing them to stay and work in Korea. Ukrainians with legal status who can extend their stay or change their status can continue to obtain permission as before.

Additionally, even Ukrainians whose stay period has already expired will be exempted from forced deportation considering the unstable national situation, and will be allowed to voluntarily depart after the national situation stabilizes.

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye stated, "This special stay measure is a humanitarian consideration for Ukrainians residing in Korea who cannot return to their home country due to external factors such as war."

As of the end of last month, the number of Ukrainians residing in Korea by status of stay was recorded as 812 with visit and cohabitation (F-1), 174 short-term visitors (C-3), 153 marriage immigrants (F-6), 103 students (D-2), 80 language training (D-4), and 2,521 others, totaling 3,843.

The Ministry of Justice also stated that among them, 538 Ukrainians are scheduled to have their stay period expire by the end of June this year.

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