Photo｜Yonhap News Source: The Scoop (https://www.thescoop.co.kr)  

As of May 2025, a shocking fact has come to light: 16 foreigners have been detained for over 20 months in South Korea's immigration detention centers. The time these individuals are held indefinitely under the guise of 'protection' is lengthening, leading to serious human rights violations that have not improved despite the continuous concerns of domestic human rights organizations. According to data from the Ministry of Justice's Immigration and Foreign Policy Bureau, a significant number of foreigners detained for over three months are classified as 'other' without clear grounds for detention, raising suspicions of mismanagement.

A Combination of Weak Legal Basis and Irresponsible Administration

The issue of long-term detention in immigration detention centers is a structural problem stemming from the inadequacy of the current Immigration Control Act, which legalizes arbitrary detention, making the purpose of 'protection' meaningless, and the irresponsibility of administrative authorities. The absence of a maximum detention period in the current law enables administratively convenient judgments, leading to indefinite detention even for those not subject to deportation. In particular, for asylum seekers, human rights violations are worsening due to delays in screening and the lack of clear standards for long-term detention.

The Anguish Hidden Behind the Numbers: Data Speaking of Human Rights Violations

According to the UNHCR's 2024 report, South Korea's foreigner detention rate exceeds the Asian average, with a particularly high rate of long-term detention. The 2023 National Human Rights Commission survey reported numerous cases of human rights violations due to lack of medical access, deterioration of mental health, and restrictions on external visits within detention centers. Approximately 40% of these individuals reported symptoms of depression or anxiety. Ministry of Justice data from January to May 2025 also shows a steady increase in human rights violations, with a 15% rise in deportation orders for asylum seekers compared to the previous year.

Urgent Institutional Improvement to Comply with International Human Rights Standards

It is time to face the reality of arbitrary detention hidden behind the name of 'protection' and urgently improve institutions to comply with international human rights standards. Introducing a maximum detention period, strengthening judicial control over detention decisions, and establishing prompt and fair screening procedures for asylum seekers are tasks that can no longer be postponed. The government must prove that South Korea is a leading nation in human rights by ensuring transparent operation of immigration detention centers and conducting thorough investigations into human rights violations, along with holding those responsible accountable.