UNHCR holds symposium on Korea’s new refugee act

The Korean office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the National Assembly Human Rights Forum will hold a symposium next Wednesday to discuss ways to successfully implement the new Refugee Act.

The legislation, which was passed by the National Assembly in December 2011, will come into force on July 1, 2013.

Experts and officials, including UNHCR Korea Representative Anne Mary Campbell and NAHRF Chairman Rep. Hwang Woo-yea, will discuss refugee policies under the new law.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Korea’s joining of the 1951 Refugee Convention.

Korea first granted refugee status in 2001 and has received 4,897 asylum claims as of Oct. 31. Among them, around 300 were recognized as refugees, while another 158 were granted humanitarian status. Korea has granted citizenship to three refugees.

Among the participants in the symposium are deputy director Park Jae-hyun of the Ministry of Justice, attorney Kim Byung-joo of Law Firm Won and Lee Ho-taeg, president of Refugee Plan.

By Kim Young-won  (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)