This file photo shows the entrance of Seoul National University, one of the country’s most prestigious universities. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 29 (Korea Bizwire) — Law school students at Seoul National University (SNU) have helped Pakistani nationals facing the risk of honor killing acquire refugee status in South Korea.
The Seoul High Court recently ruled against the Korea Immigration Office’s earlier decision not to recognize the Pakistani family as refugees.
The Pakistani father has been facing constant threats of kidnapping, assault and murder from his wife’s family members for marrying his wife despite the difference in status and social standing.
They have sought asylum as the threats continued even after they escaped to South Korea. However, the immigration authorities turned them down, after which they filed a lawsuit in June 2020.
SNU Public Interest & Legal Clinic Center offered legal support for the case, in which multiple students from law school have joined.
They were members of a volunteer program that offers legal aid to vulnerable groups, offering support throughout the entire span of the lawsuit that lasted longer than two years.
They have produced translations of overseas court rulings in the U.S. and Australia in which threats of honor killing were deemed appropriate for offering refugee status, which worked as crucial evidence for winning the case, the center explained.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
