The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Wed, May 18, 2022 | 21:49
Foreigners Crimes Rise Significantly
Posted : 2010-03-03 20:51
Updated : 2010-03-03 20:51
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down


By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter

The number of foreign nationals caught for crimes in Korea is on the rise with the increase rate in felonies particularly notable.

The National Police Agency (NPA) said Wednesday a total of 7,812 foreigners were arrested last year for involvement in the five major crimes - homicide, robbery, burglary, rape and physical assault. - an increase of nearly 18 percent from 6,615 in 2008.

Police said a total of 260 foreigners were caught for robbery last year, up 95 percent from 133 in 2008, making it the fastest growing serious crime. Burglary came next with a 45 percent increase, followed by homicide at 21 percent, rape at 11 percent and physical assault at 8 percent.

An estimated 1.2 million foreigners, including those overstaying their visas, are living in Korea, accounting for 2.4 percent of the country's population of 50 million.

A total of 543,812 major crimes - including violations by foreigners, were reported in Korea in 2008, according to recent statistics from Rep. Shim Jae-chul of the ruling Grand National Party - a dramatic increase from 454,550 cases in 2004.

This means the number of crimes has risen by about 5 percent annually during the four-year period.

The number of incarcerated foreigners has increased nearly four times in nine years.

There were some 1,000 foreign inmates as of August, the Ministry of Justice said - in 2001, there were only 251 foreign inmates, but the number jumped to 562 in 2007.

"The number of crimes committed by foreigners is gradually increasing," said a police officer. "But the steep increase is partially attributable to a nationwide crackdown on illegal aliens last year."

The increased number facing criminal charges excluding the five serious crimes is also notable.

According to the NPA and the Ministry of Justice, a total of 28,126 foreigners were caught for minor breaches of the law in 2008. The figure stood at some 10,000 in 2005, indicating the crime rate showed a nearly three-fold increase in just three years.

Traffic violations were the most frequent crime with 7,298 cases in 2008, followed by fraud with 3,390 and violation of foreign currency laws at 1,557.

By nationality, Chinese represented the majority of offenders at 20,435, followed by Mongolians (2,124), Americans (1,831), Vietnamese (1,653) and Japanese (402).

To cope with the increasing number of crimes, police and the prosecution recently established units specialized in foreign relations. Late last year, the Seoul Central Prosecutors' Office launched its first department dealing specifically with crimes by foreigners.

A foreigner-only prison has been recently opened to cope with the increasing number of inmates. Justice Minister Lee Kwi-nam gave a guided tour of the facility in Cheonan to showcase the attention being given to the human rights of foreign inmates.

The facility has translators for a variety of languages, eliminating a chance for problems caused by miscommunication, ministry officials said.

pss@koreatimes.co.kr
 
  • Competition heats up in urban air mobility market
  • 5 Woori Bank branches open exclusively for foreign customers every Sunday
  • India's wheat export ban feared to raise prices of bread, instant noodles
  • The Collective brings 'Bootycandy' to Korea
  • As China says goodbye to 2023 Asian Cup, should Korea step in?
  • Immigrant voter turnout declines in local elections
  • Air Seoul to resume Incheon-Boracay flights next month
  • Ex-baseball coach accused of assault suspended for 100 games by KBO
  • Korean volunteer fighter in Ukraine doesn't regret his action despite facing imprisonment at home
  • Gov't urged to increase support for creators when K-culture is hot
  • BTS wins three Billboard Music Awards, marking 6th year to win an award BTS wins three Billboard Music Awards, marking 6th year to win an award
  • Le Sserafim member Kim Ga-ram's bullying allegations resurface Le Sserafim member Kim Ga-ram's bullying allegations resurface
  • Yeo Jin-goo offers glimpse of his role in new series 'Link: Eat, Love, Kill' Yeo Jin-goo offers glimpse of his role in new series 'Link: Eat, Love, Kill'
  • How did TikTok become main marketing tool for K-pop? How did TikTok become main marketing tool for K-pop?
  • 'Broker,' 'Decision to Leave' to kick off summer blockbuster season 'Broker,' 'Decision to Leave' to kick off summer blockbuster season
DARKROOM
  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

  • End of mask mandates

    End of mask mandates

  • Rio Carnival returns after two-year hiatus

    Rio Carnival returns after two-year hiatus

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group