"Workplace in Pyeongtaek, cosmetics manufacturing factory, female employees recruitment, work from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily wage 93,110 won (paid daily), work 7 days a week, no accommodation, lunch provided, work is very easy, no visa required. Please send a message if you have any questions."
Such job postings can be easily seen on Facebook groups widely used by foreigners. In the comment section, various individuals were communicating, from job seekers wanting that position to illegal taxi operators claiming they would transport job seekers anywhere in the country 24 hours a day.
As the United States strengthens its investigation into forced labor, the need for managing foreign workers is growing, yet the number of illegal immigrants remains unchanged. The reason foreign nationals choose the path of illegal residence in Korea is that a solid network has been formed among them. Through this, they can not only find jobs that do not require a visa but also be introduced to brokers who can relay their intention to resign from the business sites they are currently working at and assist them in escaping. As illegal immigrants become increasingly organized, concerns about public safety are also being raised.
According to the Ministry of Justice's statistics yearbook on immigration and foreign policies, as of the end of last year, the number of illegal immigrants in the country was recorded at 397,522. This was a 6.2% decrease compared to the previous year (423,675), but it still approaches 400,000. By nationality, Thailand had the highest at 34.5%, followed by Vietnam (19.6%), China (15.6%), the Philippines (3.5%), Indonesia (3.3%), and Kazakhstan (2.8%).
The network of illegal immigrants is becoming increasingly intricate, and its roles are becoming more diversified. Firstly, the job mediation function is evolving. On social networking sites like Facebook, there are many posts looking for workers, and it is easy to find jobs that are looking to hire individuals, couples, or even groups.
A representative from a manufacturing company in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, said, "Illegal immigrants exchange information on how to change jobs or find good job opportunities through national communities."
There are also staffing agencies that specialize in employing illegal immigrants in the region. A farm owner in Jeonnam said, "There are several staffing agencies composed only of illegal immigrants from the same nationality, such as Russia and Mongolia," and added, "If I request the needed workforce and park a car at the meeting point around 5 a.m., they will come. There is a system in place for everyone to gather and move together to work." He also said, "Since they tend to group by nationality, there are also power struggles where they report each other's illegal residency."
There are also forms of movement that happen as a family unit. Foreign couples who marry in Korea can invite their parents for childcare purposes when they have children, and seasonal workers can also invite relatives through a seasonal worker system. This way, they gather their families from their home country and operate in rural areas as small teams.
A farm owner said, "This is mainly done by Vietnamese, and I have seen cases where it operates like a small staffing company with about ten people." He noted, "Although hiring people who are not allowed to work, such as those on visit and cohabitation visas, is illegal, they are relatively stable in living in Korea, and there is a lack of labor in rural areas, so I do not see it negatively."
Various services necessary for embarking on the path of illegal residency can also be obtained through the network. It is easy to find dealers who provide disposable phones, as well as brokers who assist in escaping from business sites.
Last month in Jangseong, Jeollanam-do, 14 seasonal workers escaped collectively at 3 a.m., and their escape was not captured by the CCTV in the accommodations. A local farm owner said, "I understand there are jobs that come with a van to help with the escape all at once," adding, "I have also received calls asking if it would be okay to take foreigners who entered as seasonal workers to another region."
As illegal immigrants become organized, concerns about public safety have also emerged in some areas. A local farm owner said, "Illegal immigrants mostly ride motorcycles, but all of them are unregistered. Most of the vehicles they use are also unregistered, and when an accident occurs, they flee immediately."
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