As the war between Russia and Ukraine has continued for more than three years, about 300 Koryo-saram who came to Korea to escape the war will receive visas advantageous for economic activity.
The Ministry of Justice said on the 10th that it held the 31st Council for the Protection of Human Rights and Promotion of the Rights and Interests of Foreigners on the 5th. As a result of the discussions, the ministry decided to implement special stay permits for ethnic Koreans residing in Korea who entered due to global instability and war.
The Ministry of Justice said it accepted the view of ethnic Korean groups that humanitarian measures are needed for ethnic Koreans from Ukraine who entered Korea to escape the war and now face legal and economic hardship.
When the war in Ukraine broke out in Feb. 2022, some Koryo-saram living there fled to Korea. According to the Ministry of Justice, about 3,000 ethnic Koreans from Ukraine currently reside in Korea. The measure will change the status of stay for about 300 of them—those who entered to escape the war and hold a visiting employment (H-2) visa—to the overseas Korean (F-4) visa.
The H-2 visa is issued to ethnic Koreans from former Soviet regions or China who have ties to Korea so they can work in Korea. With an H-2 visa, employment is limited to simple labor, and the holder can stay in Korea for up to 4 years and 10 months. With an F-4 visa, the holder can work in fields other than simple labor and may remain in Korea as long as desired by continuously extending the period of stay. Also, holding an F-4 visa is advantageous for obtaining permanent residency (F-5 visa).
The Ministry of Justice also allowed Koryo-saram from Ukraine who wish to continue working in simple labor sectors to be employed through a permit for activities under their status of stay. To be approved for a change to the F-4 visa, they must complete an early adaptation program.
Minister Jung Sung-ho of the Ministry of Justice said, "For ethnic Koreans who cannot easily travel to and from their home country due to global instability and war, this will not only ensure stable residence in Korea but also help resolve economic insecurity," adding, "We hope this will provide an opportunity to have hope and fulfillment in the homeland of Korea and to contribute to the mutual development of the Republic of Korea and their countries of origin."