Ministry of Justice Expands Invitation Scope for Ukrainian Nationals... "Long-term Stay Allowed"

On the 17th, a press conference titled "Condemning Russia's Invasion of Ukraine, Supporting Ukraine" was held in front of Jeongdong First Methodist Church near the Russian Embassy in Jung-gu, Seoul, hosted by the Korean Human Rights Cities Council. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The Ministry of Justice has decided, in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to expand the scope of inviting local family members of Ukrainian compatriots.

On the morning of the 29th, the Ministry of Justice announced this additional measure, stating that it "will help alleviate the hardships of families residing in the country."

First, the Ministry of Justice will expand the scope of inviting local family members of Ukrainian compatriots and domestic affiliates. The scope, which was previously limited to parents, spouses, and minor children, has been extended to include siblings and grandparents.

The Ministry of Justice also plans to implement humanitarian measures such as allowing changes in stay status and extensions of stay periods until the situation is resolved, so that Ukrainian compatriots or their families visiting the country on short-term visas of 90 days or less do not feel insecure about their status.

Following the earlier visa issuance simplification measures, the number of Ukrainian compatriots entering the country has surged compared to before. In the two weeks before the visa issuance simplification measures after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, only 22 people entered, but in the past week, the number has increased about fivefold.

Since the simplification measures on the 8th, a total of 220 people have received entry visas at Korean diplomatic missions in neighboring countries of Ukraine such as Poland and Hungary as of the 27th. Among them, 164 visited Korea to meet their families.

A Ministry of Justice official stated, "We will closely monitor the occurrence of refugees in Ukraine and the damage situation of overseas compatriots through continuous consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

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