Myanmar refugees to start anew in Korea

Thirty refugees from Myanmar will arrive in Korea today as part of a United Nations resettlement program, according to the Ministry of Justice. A welcoming event will be held at the Incheon International Airport today at 9:30 a.m.

The transfer of the 30 refugees, constituting five families, was facilitated through the refugee resettlement program that admits refugees based on recommendations by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Started by the UNHCR in 1950, the program has 37 participating countries, including the U.S. and Australia. South Korea began taking part in the system in 2015 on the basis of the Refugee Act legislated in July, 2013. It vowed to receive 90 refugees during a three-year trial period.

In 2015, 22 refugees were admitted into the country, followed by 34 in 2016. The refugees being transferred today had been in a refugee camp in Thailand.

One of the incoming refugees fled Myanmar at age 14 for religious reasons. His family, including his wife and children, has had exposure to Korean culture through dramas. His children have yearned to come to Korea, where they wish to become a makeup artist, a soccer player, and a car mechanic.

Another fled Myanmar due to racial discrimination. “I want to pay tribute to Korean society for giving my children the opportunity to study and settle down here,” he said.

The UNHCR recommended the 30 refugees after document evaluation and identity confirmation, interviews and medical checkups.

They will be granted refugee status here and receive F-2 visas. During the first six months, they will be staying at foreign support centers to learn the Korean language and culture, and receive employment education as they prepare for resettlement.

The Ministry of Justice plans to analyze the achievements and limitations of the resettlement system, and make a long-term decision that can both uphold human rights and serve the national interest.