South Korean lawyers who represented Russian asylum seekers respond to reporters’ questions outside the Incheon District Court in Incheon on Feb. 14, 2023. (Yonhap)
INCHEON, Feb. 16 (Korea Bizwire) — Russian asylum seekers who have come to South Korea after fleeing arbitrary enlistment to fight in the war in Ukraine may become eligible for refugee status.
The Incheon District Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of two of the three Russians who filed a lawsuit against the head of the immigration office at Incheon International Airport after it decided not to consider them for refugee status.
“Considering that the act of refusing to be enlisted may qualify as an expression of a political opinion, there is a cause for persecution,” the court said.
“The two Russians should go through an asylum case review for detailed deliberations.”
For the one remaining Russian, the court said, “The individual has citizenship in another country, and has not yet requested asylum from that country,” adding that “it is clear that the person fails to meet the requirements for refugee status.”
The three Russians arrived at Incheon International Airport in September and October last year after Russia mobilized its forces, seeking asylum. The immigration office, however, refused their application.
The Ministry of Justice deemed that evading conscription did not constitute grounds for a refugee status review.
The Russians have been staying in Incheon Airport’s departures hall since they arrived in South Korea.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
