By Lee Kyung-min
The number of Thai nationals illegally staying here nearly doubled last year, according to the Ministry of Justice, Sunday.
As of the end of last year, a total of 94,314 Thai nationals were living in Korea — 44,283 of them without proper visas — almost double the 23,618 in 2013. The figure was 14,095 in 2011, 17,591 in 2012 and 55,110 in 2013.
The Korea Immigration Service said Thai visitors linked to visa brokers or transnational crime rings are abusing Korea's visa waiver program in order to work here illegally.
The number of Thais staying here doubled to 94,314 from 55,110 in 2013. Until 2013, the yearly increase was negligible — 45,634 in 2011 and 45,945 in 2012.
In 2013, out of the 25,672 newly added illegal aliens, more than 90 percent of them — 23,618 — were from Thailand.
The ministry said most of these took advantage of visa waiver program. Foreigners from certain countries, including Thailand and China, are allowed to stay here up to 90 days without a visa.
Some 145,861 Chinese visited Korea on this program last year, followed by 94,314 Thai people and 65,880 Americans.
Last year alone, out of the total 67,482 Thais who came here without a visa, more than 60 percent — 40,928 — became illegal aliens, according to the ministry.
The immigration office said it is beefing up efforts to sort out those who it suspects are staying illegally, yet enforcing any entry ban on them is difficult.
"Denying such entry only based on our suspicions might lead to diplomatic conflict. And a larger number of our citizens travel to Thailand than those visiting here. We have to take that into consideration," an official from the immigration office said.
Currently, 208,778 illegal aliens are staying here, up 14 percent from 2013's 183,106.
According to the ministry, as of last year, some 30 percent of Mongolians, 29 percent of Bangladeshis, 26.9 percent of Pakistanis, 23.9 percent of Filipinos, 20 percent of Vietnamese and 16 percent of Sri Lankans were staying here illegally.
The number of Thai nationals illegally staying here nearly doubled last year, according to the Ministry of Justice, Sunday.
As of the end of last year, a total of 94,314 Thai nationals were living in Korea — 44,283 of them without proper visas — almost double the 23,618 in 2013. The figure was 14,095 in 2011, 17,591 in 2012 and 55,110 in 2013.
The Korea Immigration Service said Thai visitors linked to visa brokers or transnational crime rings are abusing Korea's visa waiver program in order to work here illegally.
The number of Thais staying here doubled to 94,314 from 55,110 in 2013. Until 2013, the yearly increase was negligible — 45,634 in 2011 and 45,945 in 2012.
In 2013, out of the 25,672 newly added illegal aliens, more than 90 percent of them — 23,618 — were from Thailand.
The ministry said most of these took advantage of visa waiver program. Foreigners from certain countries, including Thailand and China, are allowed to stay here up to 90 days without a visa.
Some 145,861 Chinese visited Korea on this program last year, followed by 94,314 Thai people and 65,880 Americans.
Last year alone, out of the total 67,482 Thais who came here without a visa, more than 60 percent — 40,928 — became illegal aliens, according to the ministry.
The immigration office said it is beefing up efforts to sort out those who it suspects are staying illegally, yet enforcing any entry ban on them is difficult.
"Denying such entry only based on our suspicions might lead to diplomatic conflict. And a larger number of our citizens travel to Thailand than those visiting here. We have to take that into consideration," an official from the immigration office said.
Currently, 208,778 illegal aliens are staying here, up 14 percent from 2013's 183,106.
According to the ministry, as of last year, some 30 percent of Mongolians, 29 percent of Bangladeshis, 26.9 percent of Pakistanis, 23.9 percent of Filipinos, 20 percent of Vietnamese and 16 percent of Sri Lankans were staying here illegally.
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