Nearly 800 Displaced Syrians In South Korea Seek The Government’s Help To Reunite With Their Families Once Again

More than two dozen displaced Syrians in South Korea joined a campaign in front of the National Human Rights Commission in Mugyo-dong central Seoul in order to increase the government's awareness of their struggle to be reunited with their families once again.

According to Korea JoongAng Daily in their article published on Tuesday, Korean non-governmental human rights organization Refuge pNam organized a campaign, which pushes for the "humanitarian reunion of displaced persons" and to increase awareness as well of the large amount of displaced Syrians seeking shelter in South Korea.

The campaign that took place on Sunday seeked aid from the Korean government and society to help the displaced Syrians to see their families again.

As of the end of August, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed the presence of 797 displaced Syrians in South Korea and according to Refuge pNan, only three Syrians have been granted refugee status in South Korea.

Meanwhile, 619 Syrians were granted humanitarian status by the Korean government as of the end of July. This allows them to work in the country, although they were not given social welfare benefits such as health insurance, nor are they allowed to invite their families over to the country.

Korea Times noted on Sunday reuniting with one's family is only guaranteed when one has been granted a refugee status based on the 1951 Refugee Convention. Humanitarian status, however, does not grant anyone this privilege.

"We do not issue separate refugee visas, so these individuals came to Korea on other visas and then applied for refugee status," said an official of the Ministry of Justice. "We can offer them humanitarian status and support."

Refuge pNan staff who organized the campaign Lee Jae Rin acknowledges the predicament of the Syrians with being granted refugee status.

"To my knowledge, the three who were granted refugee status were involved in anti-government activities back home and needed political protection," said Lee. "But most refugees are not targets of the Syrian government because of politics. They are war refugees."

"However, refugees from war are not entitled to official refugee status under Korean law," she added. "Instead, they are given humanitarian status."