Over the past three years, more than 5,000 foreigners committed crimes. (image: Korea Bizwire)
CHANGWON, July 10 (Korea Bizwire) — Concerns are growing over a recent spike in the number of crimes committed by foreigners in South Gyeongsang Province.
Last Tuesday, a Burmese national working at a farm in Gimhae, some 450 kilometers southeast of Seoul, fatally stabbed a fellow national for not working hard.
On Sunday, a Chinese compatriot in the southeastern city of Changwon beat a fellow national while drinking at a local convenience store.
The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency reported that approximately 75,000 foreigners live in South Gyeongsang Province.
Over the past three years, more than 5,000 foreigners committed crimes. Among them, 332 people were arrested.
“Many foreigners resort to crime inadvertently when they lose their job or drink alcohol,” said Kim Sang-il, head of international crime investigation at Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency.
While efforts are crucial to reduce the number of crimes committed by foreigners, it is also important to prevent any kind of stereotype against foreign laborers, experts argue.
“South Korea checks the criminal records and health conditions of all foreign workers before allowing them to enter the country, so they are less than likely to commit crimes,” said Lee Cheol-seung, head of the Gyeongnam Migrant Center.
“We should prevent any kind of stereotype against them, and offer them proper space to relieve their stress.”
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
