Aging South Korea turns to immigration

Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon (left) briefs President Yoon Suk-yeol at his office in Yongsan, central Seoul, on Tuesday morning. (Yonhap via The Korea Herald/Asia News Network)

SEOUL — The Ministry of Justice will open bureau aimed at facilitating immigration as South Korea struggles to cope with declining birth rates and aging population.

After briefing President Yoon Suk-yeol on Tuesday morning, Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon told reporters that the plans for a central bureau overseeing policies relating to immigration will begin to take shape over the remaining year.

Since taking office in May, Han has said that over his term he would make it his mission to build an immigration-friendly system within the government.

The ministry is trying out new programs for attracting and retaining immigrants.

One of them is a “fast-track” path to citizenship and residence for highly-skilled applicants, set to open from October. Another is a “region-specific” visa to encourage foreigners settle in regions with steeper population declines.

It will also set out initiatives for removing barriers for children of immigrants in accessing education, health care and other social services.

In the same briefing, Han said the ministry also plans to crack down on serious and widespread crimes in South Korea, as prosecutors are about to lose their powers to investigate and prosecute most crimes. Once Democratic Party of Korea-backed laws come into effect in September, prosecutors can no longer be involved in the investigations of the crimes that they prosecute.

The ministry will zero in on crimes targeting “vulnerable populations” such as minors and women. Child maltreatment surveillance will be increased. Power-based sexual violence will be dealt heavier penalties. GPS tracking anklets will be used on offenders of stalking.

More investigations will be encouraged against corporate and white-collar crimes, as well as fraud rings perpetuating phishing and cryptocurrency scams.

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