Gov't crackdown nets record 38,000 illegal immigrants this year

SEOUL, Dec. 14 (Yonhap) -- The government's crackdown on foreigners staying or working illegally in South Korea netted about 38,000 people this year, the largest number ever, the Ministry of Justice said Thursday.

This year's crackdown was carried out three times and the third one was conducted from Oct. 10 to Dec. 9, during which a total of 7,255 undocumented migrant workers were caught, the ministry said. Of them, 6,532 people were forced or ordered to leave the country and 159 others were fined, it said.

The ministry said 1,653 employers were caught hiring the illegal immigrants. In addition, 21 brokers who arranged for illegal immigrants to be employed were caught and eight of them were put under arrest.

Thirteen illegal immigrants were caught taking or selling drugs and will be deported after due criminal proceedings, the ministry noted.

Meanwhile, about 8,800 illegal stayers have expressed an intent to leave the country through the voluntary departure program, in which a fine exemption and suspension of entry restrictions are granted, it said, adding the voluntary departure period will be extended to February next year.

ycm@yna.co.kr
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